Reporters and loyalists to fill Lia’s key jobs

A month after the election, Lia Finocchiaro has filled key positions to drive government over the next four years. Read who got what.

Former journalists, broadcasters, public relations flaks and a handful of long-time loyalists make-up new chief minister Lia Finocchiaro’s hand-picked executive team.

Almost a month since the CLP trounced Labor to return to the government benches, a team of advisers has been assembled to transition into government after eight years in opposition.

The move upstairs from the opposition’s dinky fourth floor offices involves a significant recruitment program, with much of the government’s direction and policy heft coming from advice generated out of the chief minister’s office.

Alyson Hannam, previously Ms Finocchiaro’s chief of staff before quitting to become the CLP’s campaign manager, is a noticeable omission from the government’s staffing ranks.

Kyrrie Blenkinsop has joined the fifth floor.

Praised by party president Shane Stone on election night for her role in helping change the government, the NT News understands Ms Hannam may be returning to Queensland.

Long-time Territorian Teresa (Teri) Hart is understood to be Ms Finocchiaro’s new chief of staff.

Despite having no previous experience in a political office, former NT News editor Matt Williams was this month appointed the government’s new communications director.

More experienced political and media operators will provide support, with the chief minister’s new team including seasoned media and political figures Lisa Andrews and Kyrrie Blenkinsop, Both were products of Darwin’s famous Blake Street studios, with Andrews taken on as a cadet after a stint of work experience and Blenkinsop taking an on-camera role after working at the station part-time as a school student.

Both enjoyed successful media careers outside of Darwin with Andrews moving to Melbourne as a Nine Network sports presenter and Blenkinsop enjoying a successful stint in London where she worked with Sky and the BBC.

Andrews worked with former CLP leader Terry Mills in opposition and government before moving to the office of then tourism minister Matt Conlan after Mills was sacked in a party-room coup while he was in Japan. She later worked the Territory and South Australian tourism sectors.

After returning to Darwin before Covid, Blenkinsop worked for several years with then opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro before taking up a post with the Police Association. She is expected to give advice to deputy chief minister Gerard Maley.

Policy adviser Derek Mayger

Former media adviser to Nigel Scullion Russel Guse, who joined Ms Finocchiaro’s team earlier this year, has been retained as a media adviser and former TopFM broadcaster James Perrin, who quit the opposition leader’s fourth floor office in mysterious circumstances earlier this year, returns to parliament house as a senior media adviser.

Former Darwin Waterfront team member Alana Madden has been appointed senior ministerial adviser along with David Boustead, Justin De Domenico and Leonie Melder and former CLP staffer and Darwin City Retailer’s Association boss Molly Upstill will be public information officer until she takes maternity leave later this year.

Former NT News photographer Julianne Osborne returns to the fifth floor as photographer and long time loyalists, Jan Wilschefski and Bonnie Hageman have key executive support roles with the new government.

Lorelei Fong Lim, who was seconded to the fifth floor immediately after the election to assist Ms Finocchiaro’s transition to government, has returned to the Department of Chief Minister. Former candidate Derek Mayger will provide policy advice.