‘A privilege and honour’: Lia Finocchiaro sworn in as NT Chief Minister

Country Liberal leader Lia Finocchiaro is officially the Territory’s 14th Chief Minister, after an interim swearing in ceremony at Government House. See the photos.

NT Administrator Hugh Heggie has sworn in Country Liberal Party leader Lia Finocchiaro as Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, alongside her deputy Gerard Maley. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Country Liberal leader Lia Finocchiaro is officially the Territory’s 14th Chief Minister after a swearing in ceremony ahead of her full cabinet being revealed.

Party Deputy Leader Gerard Maley was also sworn in as a minister by NT Administrator Hugh Heggie at the Government House ceremony on Wednesday morning.

Mrs Finocchiaro is the first woman to serve as non-Labor Chief Minister.

At 39-years-old she is the second youngest in Territory history to hold the post, behind Paul Everingham.

His Honour Professor the Honourable Hugh Heggie AO PSM and Country Liberal Party leader Lia Finocchiaro. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“This morning, the new government has been sworn in as an interim measure before I announce the full machinery of government changes and the full ministry,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.

“This is to give confidence to the Northern Territory to continue with the business of government until early next week.

“It’s an absolute privilege and an honour to stand here as the Territory’s new Chief Minister, and certainly, a new chapter will unfold for Territorians, the CLP has been given a mandate to deliver real change for each and every Territorian

“We now have the privilege and the opportunity to deliver that change for the betterment of the Territory.”

She said Territorians had made it “loud and clear” crime was their number one issue of concern.

“We must address the root causes of crime to tackle this issue properly, and that is the work that has begun.

“We are on track to deliver all of our commitments for week one of parliament and continue that reform agenda going forward. We’ve also been really clear that economic growth is something that must happen for the future of the territory, for people now and for our kids.”