Article – New Northern Territory cabinet announced

10 February 2015
Dave Krantz
Herald Sun

Chief Minister Adam Giles has announced a new NT cabinet.

This follows the political chaos that has gripped the Territory over the past week, and the departure of several ministers who were involved in an unsuccessful leadership challenge.
The biggest change is the return of Dave Tollner to the ministry as Treasurer.
Mr Tollner was banished to the back bench after he called a gay staffer a “pillow biter”.
Mr Giles described Mr Tollner as a “larger than life bloke”.

Dave Tollner is back on the front bench.Dave Tollner is back on the front bench.

“I welcome Dave back to the ministry. He has a wealth of knowledge from more than a decade in politics and I know he’ll be a steady hand in the Treasury portfolio,” Mr Giles said.
“Dave has spent several months on the back bench to reflect on how he can contribute to the team once again and I know he is committed to ensuring Territorians are seeing tangible benefits from our current economic success.”
Mr Tollner will also have the Lands and Planning and the Mines and Energy portfolios.
Mr Giles will have a full swag of portfolios, including Tourism, Economic Development and Major Projects and he will also be Minister for Northern and Central Australia.
Peter Chandler will retain the Police portfolio until the investigation into the John McRoberts affair is complete. After that, the portfolio will return to the Chief Minister.

CLP Minister Peter Chandler departs Darwin's Parliament House following a parliamentary wCLP Minister Peter Chandler departs Darwin’s Parliament House following a parliamentary wing meeting in which Adam Giles maintained his position as Chief Minister of the NT.

Mr Chandler will also be returning as Minister for Education.
Deputy Chief Minister Willem Westra van Holthe retains Primary Industries, Land Resource Management and Essential Services. He will also get the Public Employment portfolio.
John Elferink will remain as Health Minister.
Peter Styles will retain the Business Portfolio and add Asian Engagement and Trade, as well as Employment and Training to his responsibilities.
Bess Price retains her existing portfolios and adds the Housing ministry.
Gary Higgins retains Sports and Recreation, and Environment and adds Arts and Museums.
As part of the reshuffle, Mr Giles has also announced changes at the top of the Public Service.
“I have asked the current Chief Executive of the Department of Chief Minister Gary Barnes to take on a new role as Coordinator General of Major Projects and Investment. This is a standalone office and Mr Barnes will be directly reporting to me,” Mr Giles said.
FULL PORTFOLIO LIST
Adam Graham Giles
Chief Minister
Minister for Tourism
Minister for Northern and Central Australia
Minister for Economic Development and Major Projects
Minister for Indigenous Affairs
Willem Rudolf Westra van Holthe
Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries
Minister for Land Resource Management
Minister for Essential Services
Minister for Public Employment
David William Tollner
Treasurer
Minister for Lands and Planning
Minister for Mines and Energy
Johan Wessel Elferink
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
Minister for Children and Families
Minister for Health
Minister for Disability Services
Minister for Mental Health Services
Minister for Correctional Services
Peter Donald Styles
Minister for Business
Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing
Minister for Asian Engagement and Trade
Minister for Employment and Training
Minister for Corporate and Information Services
Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Minister for Young Territorians
Minister for Senior Territorians
Minister for Defence Industries
Peter Glen Chandler
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
Minister for Education
Minister for Transport
Minister for Infrastructure
Minister for Veterans Support
Bess Nungarrayi Price
Minister for Local Government and Community Services
Minister for Housing
Minister for Parks and Wildlife
Minister for Men’s Policy
Minister for Women’s Policy
Minister for Statehood
Gary John Higgins
Minister for Sport and Recreation
Minister for the Environment
Minister for Arts and Museums
Chief Minister Adam Giles has announced a new Cabinet that is committed to making life simpler, safer and easier for Territorians.
“Today I’m announcing an experienced eight person team that is committed to putting the interests of Territorians front and centre of everything they do,” Mr Giles said.
“I look forward to continuing my own work in the important Tourism portfolio. The Tourism industry is vital to the Territory economy and is finally showing signs of recovery after a decade in decline under Labor. This portfolio will compliment my other work in Economic Development and Major Projects and as Minister for Northern and Central Australia,” Mr Giles said.
Dave Tollner is returning to the ministry as Treasurer.
“I welcome Dave back to the ministry. He has a wealth of knowledge from more than a decade in politics and I know he’ll be a steady hand in the Treasury portfolio,” Mr Giles said.
“Dave has spent several months on the back bench to reflect on how he can contribute to the team once again and I know he is committed to ensuring Territorians are seeing tangible benefits from our current economic success.
“He’ll also be responsible for pushing ahead with our massive land release program in the Lands and Planning portfolio, putting more downward pressure on the cost of living. He’ll also be taking on the important portfolio of Mines and Energy.”
Peter Chandler will retain the Police portfolio until the various investigations into the Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme are complete. After that, the portfolio will return to the Chief Minister.
Mr Chandler will also be returning as Minister for Education.
“Peter Chandler is keen to continue his work in reforming the education sector. He will also be picking up the critical Transport and Infrastructure portfolios which are set to be a major focus of the next budget,” Mr Giles said
Deputy Chief Minister Willem Westra van Holthe retains Primary Industries, Land Resource Management and Essential Services.
“In recognition of the importance my Government places on the public service, I have elevated the portfolio of Public Employment to the Deputy Chief Minister’s office. He will oversee the delivery of a package of new workplace measures I announced last year aimed at making the Territory public service a more attractive place to work.“
Minister Elferink will retain the position of Health Minister which he took on late last year.
“I have made it clear that Minister Elferink’s number one priority is getting the Palmerston Regional Hospital built and I know he is committed to driving this project forward in 2015 and beyond,” Mr Giles said.
Peter Styles will build on his current work in the Business Portfolio by adding Asian Engagement and Trade, as well as Employment and Training to his responsibilities. Bess Price retains her portfolios but now takes on the Housing ministry as well. Gary Higgins keeps Sports and Recreation, as well as Environment but will be adding Arts and Museums to his load.
As part of the reshuffle, Mr Giles has also announced changes that set a new strategic direction at the top of the Public Service.
“I have asked the current Chief Executive of the Department of Chief Minister Gary Barnes to take on a new role as Coordinator General of Major Projects and Investment. This is a standalone office and Mr Barnes will be directly reporting to me,” Mr Giles said.
Gary Barnes will be responsible for driving important projects such as the possible long term lease of the Port, the new gas pipeline linking the Territory with the East Coast, establishing an International Grammar School in the Territory and attracting a five or six star hotel to Darwin.
“Gary has done a great job of balancing the functions of the Public Service and growing the Territory and I look forward to working with him into the future,” Mr Giles said.
The current Chief Executive of the Department Lands, Planning and Environment John Coleman will be appointed as the new head of the Department of Chief Minister.
“John Coleman is one of the Territory’s most experienced public servants and his role will be focused on ensuring Territorians get the best possible service and support from our departments and agencies,” Mr Giles said
John will be supported by the Department’s newly arrived Deputy Chief Executive Rachel Bacon who comes to the Territory from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Ministers will be sworn in to their new roles in the coming days.
Courtesy of the Herald Sun