Liberals target juvenile delinquency

The youngest minister in the history of the Northern Territory saved the Country Liberal Party from ruin.

Eight years ago, Lia Finocchiaro was one of two CLP survivors after a crushing election defeat that left Labor with just 18 of 25 seats.

But after rebuilding under Ms Finocchiaro's leadership, some experts predict the party could return to power in Saturday's elections.

Labor's overwhelming victory in 2016 followed four years of instability under CLP premiers Terry Mills and Adam Giles.

Ms Finocchiaro – who was 28 when she was elected minister in 2013 – succeeded Gary Higgins as party leader ahead of the 2020 election, in which the CLP recaptured six seats.

The party's momentum was derailed a year later when it lost the remote Daly constituency, the first time an incumbent Territory government had won an opposition seat in a by-election.

To win government directly, the CLP must win at least six seats.

If elected prime minister, Ms Finocchiaro promises to lower the age of criminal responsibility back to 10, after a royal commission into child protection recommended raising it to 12.

She has also promised to reinstate the use of spit hoods on children in all prisons and to strengthen police powers.

Ms Finocchiaro's grandfather, a second-generation Territorian, migrated to the Northern Territory in the 1950s.

Looking back on her childhood, the former lawyer says the territory is at a “critical turning point” for the next generation.

“We lose about 4,000 people every year. They are our friends. They are our family,” she said.

“These are people who see our workplaces and then pack up their things and leave because they have fallen out of love with a place that once meant everything to them.

“The NT has always been better and can be better again. And we can all do our part to make that happen.”

Ms Finocchiaro promises to abolish the payroll tax for small businesses. The wages of apprentices and interns will be exempt from the cap.

It has also committed to introducing a Territorial Coordinator, an independent statutory authority that can approve plans and developments without the supervision of the Prime Minister.

“You have to follow your words with actions,” she said.

“This is stopping the clock on endless decision-making processes that does not create the trust we need in our corporate sector.”