NSW threat to Territory Day with 100 tons of our fireworks facing threat of seizure

The saga surrounding the NT’s Territory Day fireworks continues, with their fate now in the hands of Queensland and South Australia. ROLLING UPDATES.

Territory Day fireworks threat. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

UPDATE, FRIDAY 5PM: The fate of fireworks destined for the NT for Territory Day now rests on the Queensland and South Australian governments, as the saga threatening cracker night continues.

On Friday, the NT News reported 46 tonnes of fireworks for Territory Day had been seized by SafeWork NSW, due to the fact fireworks are illegal in the state.

That figure has actually been revised to a whopping 100 tonnes of crackers now seized.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro spoke to NSW Premier Chris Minns on Thursday, alerting him to the importance of the shipment to Territorians.

A NSW government spokesperson confirmed to the NT News on Friday afternoon that for the fireworks to be transported to the NT, appropriate authorisation would need to be sought from SafeWork NSW and from authorities in Queensland and SA.

“Shipments of fireworks entered NSW which are not authorised in NSW and were seized by SafeWork NSW,” the spokesperson said.

“While use of these fireworks is legal in the NT, they are not legal to sell and use in NSW.

“In NSW the appropriate authorisation would need to be acquired from SafeWork NSW and then similar authorisations would be required in QLD and SA to allow the product to transit to the NT.

“NSW was willing to provide that authorization subject to agreement from the other states.

“In the circumstances that the fireworks reach the NT, SafeWork NSW will work with WorkSafe NT to ensure that none of the fireworks that transit through NSW return to NSW.”

The NSW Premier did not respond to questions from the NT News as to whether NSW had seized the fireworks because the state was jealous of the NT for having cracker day.

Peter Malinauskas and David Crisafulli, the last hopes to save Territory Day.

Now, the ball is in the court of Queensland and SA, and their respective premiers David Crisafulli and Peter Malinauskas.

The NT News understands the Queensland government has rejected the permit plea, however Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has since appealed directly to Premier David Crisafulli to save the day given the transport route would be quickest through Queensland.

If that appeal fails, the NT government will likely turn to South Australia and Peter Malinauskas to save the party.

Let the best premier win.

INITIAL: New South Wales authorities have engaged in an act tantamount to a declaration of war on the Northern Territory’s freedom — they’ve threatened to scuttle our Territory Day by seizing around 100 tons of our fireworks.

Why?

Because fireworks are banned in New South Wales and that’s where the shipment arrived for on-shipping to the Northern Territory.

And that’s despite the fact the company that imports the fireworks, Fireworks Australia, has been doing it this way for the past 30 years.

Fireworks Australia has one of the largest fireworks storage and workshop facilities in Australia.

A spokesman for the company confirmed 100 tons of the fireworks for our Northern Territory Day on July 1 have been prevented from on-shipping to Darwin and if they are not on the road by next week some communities will miss out.

“The industry is working very hard with the New South Wales regulators to try and find a solution so that Territory Day fireworks can be shipped to the NT,” the spokesperson said.

It has been alleged that SafeWork New South Wales are saying because the fireworks are not allowed for sale to the New South Wales public, they are a banned product and will be seized.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro in the Northern Territory parliament on March 27, 2025. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

It’s a fight born and bred Territorian, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has gone into battle on.

Ms Finocchiaro said she had already taken the issue up with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns.

“It has been brought to my attention that a large shipment of fireworks destined for local use by Territorians on Territory Day, has been intercepted by NSW officials,” the Chief Minister said.

“I have spoken with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns.

“I’ve alerted him to the importance of the shipment as part of our Territory Day celebrations.”

The Chief Minister said she would work with New South Wales to make sure the fireworks are in the Territory, ready to go for 1 July.

In the Northern Territory, fireworks are legal to purchase and use for one day of the year: Territory Day July 1st.

The Northern Territory is the only Australian jurisdiction that allows the public sale, use, and possession of fireworks during a specific approved period.

The current state of play has been described as “dire” with our day to celebrate the Northern Territory, with free, family-friendly events including concerts and fireworks displays across the Territory, facing the prospect of going off without a bang.

Territory Day recognises the day the Northern Territory gained power, from the Commonwealth Government, to self-govern in 1978.

For the past 47 years July 1, has been the day Territorians come together to officially celebrate everything we love about the amazing place we call home.

And it is not just Territorians in the action with plenty of travellers making the trip up from interstate.

The Territory’s first Chief Minister Paul Everingham marked that first celebration with his iconic words asking the enthusiastic crowd: “How far would we have got with self-government if we had heeded the voices of caution and fear?”.

Originally published as NSW threat to Territory Day with 100 tons of our fireworks facing threat of seizure