Chief Minister, new cabinet sworn into NT Government

Eva Lawler has been officially sworn in and her new-look cabinet revealed. Meet the revised Cabinet.

Eva Lawler has been officially sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of the Territory.

On Thursday afternoon, the former school principal officially claimed the top job less than 48 hours after her predecessor, Natasha Fyles, announced her resignation from the top job.

In addition to Chief Minister, treasurer and territory development minister, Ms Lawler added defence industries, industry and trade and major projects to her portfolio.

Ms Lawler also unveiled her new-look cabinet, with Central Australian MLA Chansey Paech becoming Deputy Chief Minister.

Mark Monaghan, previously without a portfolio, was sworn into portfolios of Education, Mining, Agribusiness and Fisheries.

Selena Uibo is the Territory’s new Health Minister.

Kate Worden received the Essential Services portfolio.

Brent Potter adds more two portfolios to his responsibility – Alcohol Policy and Major Events.

Ngaree Ah Kit and Joel Bowden were present for the swear-in ceremony and remain in the cabinet.

As such, Ms Fyles and former Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison are without portfolios and return to the backbench.

Front (L-R) Mark Monaghan, Eva Lawler, Chief Administrator Honourable Hugh Heggie, Chansey Paech and back(L-R) Kate Worden and Ngaree Ah Kit at the swear-in ceremony at Government House, December 2023. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Following the bold reshuffle, Ms Lawler declared the Territory’s story was “still being written”.

“We have a great deal to look forward to as we continue to build the Territory’s future together,” she said.

Ms Lawler confirmed her first decision as Chief Minister was to review the reporting of the public officers’ conflict of interest register in light of her predecessor’s mining shares.

“There’s lots of people out there who don’t like politicians,” Mr Lawler said.

“But Natasha Fyles was a very good Chief Minister and a very good politician – we do need to make sure we don’t lose good politicians, it’s hard enough get people to put their hand up to be politicians.

“We need to have clear transparency, no ambiguity around the conflict of interests register.”

Ms Lawler said there had been “improvements in community safety”, but crime remained the “number one priority”.

“Crime is a number one priority – my electorate (is) in Palmerston and I hear these issues,” she said.

“Brent Potter has been Police Minister for seven weeks and I think he’s doing a damn fine job, he’s doing a great job in that role.”

Ms Lawler said her and Mr Paech form “a great team” and represent the “length and breadth of the Territory”.

“The male, female and Aboriginal and me, an older person a younger person – it’s a really good mix, we provide that whole picture,” she said.

New Chief Minister Eva Lawler and Deputy Chief Minister Chansey Paech front the media after the swear-in ceremony. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Solomon MP Luke Gosling issued a statement congratulating Ms Lawler and her new cabinet.

“I congratulate the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister Eva Lawler, Deputy Chief Minister Chansey Paech and cabinet members on their swearing-in today and welcome their renewed focus on addressing cost of living, community safety and the creation of more opportunities for Territorians,” he said.

“Chief Minister Eva Lawler is a forthright person who importantly has extensive experience; with schools and young people, in the public service and as a Minister, that I believe will maximise the social and economic development of the Territory.”

Conversely, Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro slammed the reshuffle as creating “uncertainty” for Territorians.

“What this team has delivered Territorians is more uncertainty than ever before,” she said.

“Both Eva Lawler and Chansey Paech have been members of the Territory Labor government for seven years and both have been involved in the downturn of our economy, high rates of escalating crime and high rates of cost of living.”