NT footy team, road rules and VAD: The issues Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro ‘won’t prioritise’

Restoring Territorians rights to euthanasia, closing a controversial drink driving loophole and bringing the AFL to the NT. Here are the issues the Chief Minister says are ‘not a priority’ for her new government.

The Territory is one of the only places in the country where drivers can drink while behind the wheel – as long as they stay under the legal limit.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro says she will not prioritise restoring Territorians rights to euthanasia, closing a controversial drink driving loophole, or pushing for a Territory AFL team.

Over the first two weeks of the new Northern Territory government Mrs Finocchiaro has emphasised her focus on tackling crime and reducing wasteful spending on “Labor’s pet projects” – raising questions about what could soon hit the chopping block.

Among the projects seemingly put on the backburner is Voluntary Assisted Dying, which Mrs Finocchiaro said had to be managed “in a really respectful way”.

An independent report on VAD in the Territory was handed to the government in July, finding “overwhelming” community support for the return of assisted dying laws in the NT.

“(VAD is) something a portion of our community are looking towards, and an enormous group of Territorians who don’t want to see it as well,” she told ABC Darwin last week.

“We need to look at that report that was prepared for the Labor government, and then work through those steps with the community of what the next step might look like.

“It’s certainly not an immediate priority of our government, and we’ve been very, very clear about that. Our focus is very much around reducing crime and rebuilding our economy.”

NT chief minister Lia Finocchiaro said she would ‘communicate very clearly’ which projects would be re-prioritised. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

Mrs Finocchiaro also said banning Territorians from drinking while driving was not on her radar, as pressure mounts to stem this year’s horror road toll.

Currently the NT is one of the only places in Australia where drivers can consume alcohol behind the wheel, as long as they remain below the legal blood alcohol limit.

“I’m yet to be provided any data that shows that the road toll or dangerous driving is linked to those issues,” she said.

“I think it’s really important that we focus on what will actually work.”

A 2020 artists impression from the balcony of Parliament House of the proposed Civic and State Square redevelopment.

Mrs Finocchiaro confirmed the long-promised Aboriginal art gallery in Alice Springs would be delivered, but cast doubt on the $145m redevelopment of Darwin’s Civic and State Square.

“The previous government had spent a lot of money in areas that aren’t driving outcomes for Territorians … for example projects like the art gallery and State Square – tens of millions of dollars – a nice to have, not a must have,” she said.

“There will be a number of other projects in Darwin.

“We’ll make sure we communicate very clearly with people around what’s being re-prioritised.”