Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro ups NTFES funding by $7m for ‘full funding’

The Chief Minister has promised to ‘fully fund’ the Territory’s fire and emergency services. Find out how much they’ll get.

NT Fire and Emergency Services is a multi-unit agency which includes NT Fire and Rescue Service, NT Emergency Service and Bushfires NT. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

The Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services (NTFES) will be “fully funded” in next year’s budget through a $7m funding increase announced on Friday.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro made the announcement flanked by NTFES officials and a fleet of emergency services vehicles at the Palmerston fire station.

NTFES incorporates the NT Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS), the NT Emergency Service (NTES) and Bushfires NT.

Mrs Finocchiaro claimed the additional funding would see the new agency “fully funded” for the first time since it split from NT Police in 2023.

“This budget announcement will see the Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services fully funded after it was separated from the tri-services way back in 2023,” she said.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro standing with the heads of each NTFES unit. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

“The additional $7 million injection will take its budget to $86 million.

“Excitingly this will see the return of Bushfires NT permanently in Tennant Creek, meaning we’ll have two full-time staff there and two grass fire units in the Barkly region.”

Executive director of Bushfires NT Jacqui Forrest said the permanent presence in Tennant Creek was an important feature of the budget upgrade.

“We’re really excited to have boots on the ground year-round in the Barkly,” she said.

“A permanent presence in Tennant Creek will provide a strong co-ordination point to suppress bushfires.”

Mrs Finocchiaro said the funding would also be used to strengthen the agency’s corporate workforce and for funding the previous enterprise agreement negotiated under Labor.

The Chief Minister was shown some of the firefighters’ tools. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

The Chief Minister said the increase in funding demonstrated her government’s commitment to keeping safe.

“It’s really important we have a really strong fire and emergency services.

“This funding shows we are serious when it comes to community safety as this injection of funds means NTFES can operate at full capacity.”

Acting NTFES Commissioner Collene Bremner said the increased budget was crucial for the newly formed agency.

“The additional investment will enhance both our corporate and operational capacity, ensuring NT Fire and Emergency Services is well-positioned to support a safer, more resilient Northern Territory,“ she said.

The total budget for NTFES is $86.8m. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

This latest announcement forms part of a funding blitz announced by the CLP in anticipation for their 2025-26 budget, which will be announced on May 13.

On Wednesday the Chief Minister announced $6.6m in infrastructure upgrades for the triple-0 call centre, and on Monday she announced half a billion dollars for NT Corrections. 

These budget promises form part of the anticipated $1.34 billion which will be allocated to implement the CLP Government’s law and order plans in its first proper Budget since coming to office last August.