NT election 2024: Lia Finocchiaro becomes 14th chief minister, Eva Lawler loses her seat
CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro will now become the Territory’s 14th chief minister since self-government after claiming the 2024 election amid a massive swing.
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Eva Lawler has been unseated as chief minister and also unceremoniously turfed from her Palmerston seat of Drysdale.
CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro, who was one of just two conservative MLAs who survived the implosion of the Mills-Giles regime in 2016, will now become the Territory’s 14th chief minister since self-government after claiming the 2024 election amid a massive swing.
“It is an absolute honour and privilege to stand here before you as the first female CLP chief minister of the NT,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
“Tonight’s result is a victory for hope and opportunity for every single Territorian.
“[It] represents a turning point in the Territory’s future.
“Territorians have used their voice to stand up against Labor, who have taken them for granted for far too long.
“The heartbreak of watching Territorians pack their bags because they cannot see a future here ends today.”
Ms Finocchiaro told supporters at Marrara’s Italian Club that she would be meeting with Police Commissioner Michael Murphy on Sunday in order to “outline immediate work that must begin to keep the Territory safe”.
Ms Lawler, who lost her seat to CLP challenger Clinton Howe, addressed the party faithful at Labor HQ about 8.30pm.
“I told Lia what an absolute privilege it is to be a chief minister and I have conceded, but there will still be some seats that need to be decided,” she said.
“This is truly a tough night for Labor.
“It wasn’t the result we wanted to see, but I think some of the decisions were made a long time ago.”
Ms Lawler said some of her government’s highlights included sealing the Tanami Hwy, building the Palmerston District Hospital, securing a funding deal to fund NT schools to 100 per cent of the school resourcing standard, and funding 200 new police officers for the Territory.
She promised Labor would work hard in opposition to hold the CLP government to account and improve the lives of Territorians.
“When we’re in opposition we are not going to be running the NT down,” she said.
“We love the Territory. We will be constructive.”
Mr Howe, the CLP candidate who toppled the chief minister, said it was a win for the people of Drysdale.
“I’m obviously happy, but above anything I think it’s a win for the electorate,” he said.
“For too long Labor ignored the crime issue, or took an ideological stance that wasn’t how the average Australian thinks.
“This result is the consequence of that.”
Right from the moment the first numbers dropped just after 7pm, Territory Labor looked like it was headed for a bloodbath, with a Territory-wide swing to the CLP of 18.6 per cent at the time of publication.
Some seats have featured swings to the CLP of up to 20 per cent or more.
Labor ministers who are on track to lose their seats, aside from Ms Lawler, include Kate Worden, Ngaree Ah Kit and Mark Monaghan, at the time of publication.
Joel Bowden and Brent Potter’s futures are uncertain, although they are a better chance of holding their seats once preferences are allocated than they first appeared.
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