Opposition unveils pre-election cabinet team, including Fannie Bay candidate Tracey Hayes as Treasurer

THE voters of Fannie Bay have been asked to pick between a Labor Chief Minister or a potential CLP treasurer, as Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro unveils her new-look pre-election cabinet team.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro (front) unveils her pre-election cabinet team of (left) Gerard Maley, Steve Edgington, Damien Ryan and Tracey Hayes. Picture: Supplied

THE voters of Fannie Bay have been asked to pick between a Labor Chief Minister or a potential CLP treasurer, as Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro unveils her new-look pre-election cabinet team.

The NT News can reveal four CLP candidates, including two regional mayors, a lawyer and Fannie Bay candidate Tracey Hayes, will form the party’s cabinet executive in the lead up to the August 22 poll.

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Tracey Hayes, CLP candidate for Fannie Bay, once placed number one in the NT News’ 120 most powerful people in the NT.

In a bold move, Ms Finocchiaro confirmed Ms Hayes, a former NT Cattlemen’s Association chief executive, would be treasurer under a government led by her.

The captain’s pick means Ms Hayes will likely be front and centre attacking the NT Government’s financial credentials at a time when there has been increasing pressure on Mr Gunner’s team to release a detailed budget update.

The seat of Fannie Bay, held by Mr Gunner since 2008, has been held by Labor since 1995.

“My focus will be on driving investment and productivity growth, a staged recovery and a return to balanced budgets,” Ms Hayes said.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner. Picture: Che Chorley

The other candidates on CLP’s cabinet executive are lawyer Gerard Maley for Nelson, Barkly mayor Steve Edgington for Barkly and Alice Springs Regional Council’s longest-serving mayor Damien Ryan for Araluen.

“We have a plan for recovery out of the COVID-19 crisis and for how we build a strong Northern Territory into the future,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“If elected, the CLP will work tirelessly to drive job creation, tackle crime to make the community safe and play to our key economic strengths to create opportunities for all Territorians.

“I look forward to working with this cabinet executive over the next few months to get the CLP elected. Now more than ever the Territory needs the CLP and its vision to focus on jobs, safety and opportunity for the future.”

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The CLP will need to retain Ms Finocchiaro’s seat of Spillett and retiring CLP MLA Gary Higgins’ seat of Daly and win 11 more in order to take government.

Last week the NT News revealed the CLP and Territory Alliance were not ruling out an alliance after the August election if it allowed them to roll Labor out of office.