The Finocchiaro CLP Government has introduced the Attorney-General and Police Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, delivering practical updates across several Acts to improve transparency, reduce red tape, and modernise outdated processes.
The Bill makes changes to the Public Trustee Act, Police Administration Act, Information Act, and Firearms Act.
Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby said the reforms are part of the CLP Government's ongoing work to simplify the law and deliver clearer, more effective outcomes for Territorians.
"This Bill removes old, complicated or lengthy processes that waste time and money, while keeping strong checks and balances in place," Ms Boothby said.
"These are sensible, balanced changes that modernise outdated laws, improve accountability, and make life simpler for Territorians."
The amendments streamline the appointment and payment process for the Public Trustee by combining two previously separate steps into one.
Previously, two separate processes were required - one to make the appointment, and another to set the salary and conditions, and now both steps can be completed at the same time, cutting duplication and bringing the law in line with other senior public roles.
The changes also make the appointment of the Deputy Public Trustee more practical, allowing the Attorney-General to appoint a senior public servant to the role.
"These changes are about streamlining the system so the Public Trustee can focus on helping Territorians - not paperwork," said Ms Boothby.
The amendments also clarify long-standing practice that correspondence between Ministers, Assistant Ministers and their staff - where not related to official government business - is not subject to Freedom of Information (FOI) laws.
This follows an ongoing legal challenge between the Northern Territory Government and the Environment Centre NT, which is seeking access to documents from when Nicole Manison was a Labor Minister, relating to McArthur River Mine dating back over five years.
"These changes simply make that long-standing practice clear in law, because Territorians expect their money to be spent on delivering services, not fighting endless green lawfare in court," said Ms Boothby.
The Bill will now sit in Parliament for the standard 28-day consultation period before being debated in the Legislative Assembly.
"These updates reflect our government's commitment to a year of action, certainty and security and delivering laws that work for the Territory," said Ms Boothby.
