Lia Finocchiaro opinion: With 2024 drawing to a close, let’s reflect on the Territory’s road to recovery

As 2024 draws to a close, it’s a moment to reflect on a year of decisive action and meaningful change for the Northern Territory, writes Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro says that as 2024 draws to a close, Territorians can believe their battered jurisdiction is turning a corner. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

As 2024 draws to a close, it’s a moment to reflect on a year of decisive action and meaningful change for the Northern Territory.

In August, Territorians voted for change – a turning point where the community stood up and said we have a right to be safe, we need a stronger economy, and our unique Territory lifestyle must be restored.

When we took office just four months ago, the Territory was going backwards. Crime had spiralled out of control, our police force had been undermined, and our economy was the worst-performing in the nation. People were packing their bags and leaving.

They had lost hope.

The CLP promised to reduce crime, rebuild the economy, and restore our lifestyle – and we are delivering.

On my very first day as Chief Minister, I met with the Police Commissioner to make one thing clear: community safety is our number one priority, and the police have our full support.

In just eight weeks, we urgently passed ‘Reducing Crime’ laws, including Declan’s Law, with stronger bail laws, lowered age of criminal responsibility, nuisance public drinking measures, expanded knife-wanding and ram-raid powers, and laws addressing online ‘posting and boasting.’

CLP ministers Steve Edgington and Marie-Clare Boothby, alongside Samara Laverty and Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, discussing the progress of Declan's Law, October 16, 2024. Picture: Alex Treacy

We developed a Corrections Master Plan to support an increase in prison capacity after eight years of neglect, which left a broken and battered system. Our courts are working longer hours to deliver better justice for victims.

In Alice Springs, Operation Ludlow was launched to provide targeted resources and bolster frontline police, and a Fugitive Taskforce was established to remove high-risk, high-harm offenders from the streets. These two measures alone have resulted in 210 arrests in six weeks.

Education is fundamental to breaking the cycle of crime. That’s why we urgently rolled out our School Attendance Officers, who hold parents accountable and get kids to school. Our new Circuit Breaker program – a dedicated team of youth workers on nightly patrols supporting police – has been piloted in Alice Springs, resulting in 15 family responsibility agreements in just two weeks.

Education Minister Jo Hersey meets with School Attendance Officers who have commenced patrolling Northern Territory schools, with powers to fine parents whose kids skip school. Picture: Supplied.

At the same time, we’ve been working tirelessly to grow the economy, provide regulatory certainty to investors, and create opportunities for all Territorians.

Our $50,000, $30,000, and $10,000 HomeGrown Territory Grants Program, launched within five weeks of the election, has received over 260 applications, stimulating the construction industry, and helping more Territorians achieve their dream of home ownership, which grows our population.

Major economic reform is underway, with the Territory Coordinator legislation out for external consultation until 17 January. By making the Territory a more competitive place to do business, we can get on top of Labor's $11bn debt and create high-paid jobs now and for our kids in the future. The opportunities are endless, but we must have the right framework to turn opportunity into reality.

Our Approvals Fast Track Taskforce was established to remove regulatory barriers and speed up business approvals, so businesses can get ahead.

In Alice Springs, we’ve invested $27m into infrastructure projects to boost tourism, enhance liveability, and support local businesses. We’ve saved ANZAC Oval and relocated the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery of Australia, ready to be delivered.

Anzac Oval, Alice Springs, has been saved from resumption. Picture: Alex Treacy

From January 1, our payroll tax reforms – the best in the country – will save local businesses an average of $22,000 annually and will abolish payroll tax altogether for 200 small businesses, meaning more money can be invested in apprentices and trainees.

We’re also tackling cost-of-living pressures head-on:

– Free Meningococcal B vaccines from January 1 to protect our kids.

– Frozen car registration fees until July 2026.

– Free driver’s licenses for one year.

– Three-year trailer registrations.

– Solar Battery Grants of up to $12,000 to cut energy costs and drive renewable energy adoption.

– Free swimming lessons for all primary school students in years 1–6.

We have delivered a lot in four short months, but make no mistake, this is just the beginning.

As we look ahead to 2025, our commitment remains unwavering. We will remain laser-focused on our three key priorities: reduce crime, rebuild the economy, and restore our lifestyle.

What I am most proud of in the last four months is that we have given Territorians hope for a better future. Hope is a powerful driver to deliver change. We are more determined than ever to make the hard decisions needed to support the aspirations of every Territorian.

We can rebuild the Territory.