New leader vows integrity overhaul after shares scandal

The Northern Territory’s new chief minister has promised to sharpen integrity rules after a conflict of interest scandal forced the resignation of her predecessor.

Eva Lawler was sworn in as the NT’s 13th leader at Darwin’s Government House on Thursday, alongside her new deputy Chansey Paech.

It marks a line in the sand for an NT government desperate to reclaim the narrative after Natasha Fyles quit the top job over holding undisclosed mining shares.

Eight months out from the territory election and with integrity emerging as a hot voter issue, Ms Lawler said her government would review the reporting of the public officers’ conflict of interest and further declarations register.

“We need to have clear transparency and no ambiguity around the conflict of interest of register ... the public expects that,” she said.

“But it’s also much easier for everybody if we’re very clear around that.

“We do need to do better ... and we’ll get on with that work, and as soon as that work is done, we’ll actually apply that work immediately.”

Ms Lawler said she spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday evening and was looking at how the federal government handled conflicts of interest issues.

Ms Fyles has moved to the back bench, joined by her former deputy Nicole Manison, who had aspired to be leader.

Ms Lawler said increasing community safety was a priority, with a review of policies on the cards.

“I know that the change of leadership can be unsettling, especially at this time of the year, and I want to assure territorians that my focus is only on you,” she said.

“My job is to make sure we continue to diversify and grow the territory economy, create jobs and ensure a safe and prosperous territory for us all.”

Ms Lawler vowed to face a Senate inquiry into the Middle Arm precinct, a proposed business hub in the Darwin harbour that is concerning environmentalists.

She will hold five portfolios, retaining treasury while taking on defence, industry, development and major projects.

Ms Fyles’ portfolios have been spread around the cabinet with Selena Uibo taking on health and Police Minister Brent Potter alcohol policy.

Former speaker and backbencher Mark Monaghan has been elevated to cabinet, taking on Ms Manison’s mining responsibilities alongside education and agribusiness.

A former teacher, Ms Lawler entered the NT Legislative Assembly in 2016, elected in the seat of Drysdale in Palmerston, on Darwin’s outskirts.

Mr Paech also entered parliament in 2016 in the seat of Namatjira and holds the Indigenous affairs, arts, attorney-general and local government portfolios.

Ms Fyles was brought down as leader on Tuesday after revelations she held undisclosed shares in a remote manganese mine, while also refusing to investigate its potential health impacts.

It was the latest in a string of integrity issues for the former chief who held the top job for 18 months.

In November she was forced to divest shares in Woodside after media and federal politicians called into question potential conflicts of interest, in particular the government’s large-scale expansion of the NT gas industry.

Ms Fyles was the third state or territory leader to resign in as many months and the fourth to step down in 2023.

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk bowed out of politics in early December, following Victorian premier Daniel Andrews’ resignation in late September.

Mark McGowan quit as WA premier in May.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr is the nation’s only leader whose time in office predates the COVID-19 pandemic.