Women the majority in new NT cabinet

The NT Electoral Commission has declared the new line-up of the territory's parliament, after Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced his cabinet.

women in the NT parliament

New NT ministers Dale Wakefield, Natasha Fyles and Nicole Manison. Source: AAP

The Northern Territory's new cabinet is a "watershed in Australian political history", new Chief Minister Michael Gunner says, despite immediate criticism from an independent MP.

The Northern Territory's election result was formally declared on Monday, confirming Labor's thumping majority with the party winning 18 seats in the 25-seat parliament.

The NT Electoral Commission said the Country Liberal Party had won two seats, while five went to independents.

Ahead of the declaration, Mr Gunner announced his ministry with five of eight positions going to women.

Nicole Manison is the new treasurer, Natasha Fyles the new attorney-general and Eva Lawler the new education minister.

Dale Wakefield is the minister for families, and Lauren Moss is the minister for environment.

"This Labor cabinet mirrors the diversity, aspirations and life experience of Territorians and is a watershed in Australian political history," with over 60 per cent of cabinet positions now held by women, Mr Gunner said.

But there is no specific minister for corrections, something that has raised the ire of independent MP Gerry Wood, coming as the royal commission into allegations of abuse within the NT's juvenile justice system gets under way.

Mr Wood said, considering the issues being investigated, he would have thought corrections would have been an important, separate portfolio.

"But nothing shows up on the list of ministers unless it comes under justice," he said in a statement.


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Source: AAP


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