Independent Robyn Lambley will be the Territory’s new speaker

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has looked outside her own party to appoint a new speaker. Read who’s got the well-paid job.

Independent MLA Robyn Lambley will be the new Speaker in the Northern Territory’s Legislative Assembly.

Chief minister Lia Finocchiaro resisted appointing an inexperienced backbencher from her own team in favour of the veteran Araluen MLA who was first elected in a 2010 by-election as a Country Liberal Party member.

She quit the party in 2015 after four years of political turmoil that saw the elected chief minister Terry Mills deposed in a backroom coup by Adam Giles while he led a trade delegation to Japan.

Member for Araluen and new parliamentary speaker Robyn Lambley. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

One of the best paid positions in the parliament, worth $268,000, the Speaker earns the equivalent of a government minister and the role is usually highly sought after by aspirational backbenchers with an eye on the ministry.

The parliament’s past two speakers, Ngaree Ah Kit and Mark Monaghan were both promoted to the ministerial benches.

While Ms Lambley has no ministerial aspirations, the NT News understands promotion to the frontbench for the non-ministers in the CLP’s ranks will be based on their constituent work and assistant ministerial duties.

Ms Finocchiaro on Monday announced the appointment of eight new assistant ministers to try and curb backbench restlessness as the new government sets about implementing its election promises.

New CLP Fannie Bay MLA Laurie Zio. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The positions come without additional salary or responsibility to respond to parliamentary questions.

Clinton Howe has been named assistant police minister, Khoda Patel assistant minister for mining and energy, Oly Carlson assistant minister for treasury and finance, Andrew Mackay assistant minister for parks and wildlife, Brian O’Gallagher assistant minister for health, Matthew Kerle assistant minister for corporate and digital development, Tanzil Rahman assistant minister for international education, migration and population and Laurie Zio, assistant minister for people, sport and culture.

Ms Finocchiaro said Tuesday would be a turning point for the Territory.

“My government’s new assistant ministers, along with our cabinet, will help drive real outcomes for Territorians,” she said.

“Tuesday marks the start of the first parliamentary sittings under the new CLP government where we will introduce our ‘Reducing Crime’ package. We make no apologies for our swift and decisive action.

“Seven weeks ago, the CLP was given a clear mandate to deliver these changes to keep our community safe. Over the next fortnight our CLP government will continue on its path of reducing crime, rebuilding our economy and restoring our lifestyle for all Territorians.”

Originally published as Independent Robyn Lambley will be the Territory’s new speaker