New NT chief minister heads to outback

NT Chief Minister elect Terry Mills.

NORTHERN TERRITORY: The Northern Territory’s new Chief Minister Terry Mills has begun his first trip as leader to outback regions.

Mr Mills on Thursday flew out of Darwin on a trip that will take him to Bathurst Island and the remote community of Ramingining in northern Arnhem Land.

The Country Liberal Party (CLP) led by Mr Mills easily beat the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in elections last week, largely on the back of a huge swing in remote areas.

Traditionally Labor-supporting Aboriginal communities turned their back on the party to support the CLP.

Mr Mills had promised his first trip would be to remote parts of the Territory.

“I want to shake the hands of traditional owners and say to them that you have our respect, and our intent is to put decision making back into your hands and to work with you,” Mr Mills said on Sunday.

“My first trip will be to demonstrate to traditional people that we will work with you, that decision making goes into your hands.

“We will work with you to solve the problems that you have spoken very loudly and very clearly about by supporting our candidates.”

The CLP has promised to hold cabinet meetings in remote areas.

Counting continues in the election, with the legislative assembly likely to be made up of 16 CLP members, eight Labor members, and one independent.

AAP