Lia is a born and bred Territorian with an endless love for the Territory.

Elected to Parliament in August 2012 at the age of 27, Lia has served in many roles during her term including Government Whip, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee and member of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee.

Taking the reigns as the Leader of the Opposition on the 1st of February 2020, Lia led the Country Liberal Party to an impressive eight strong parliamentary team at the August 2020 Northern Territory General Election.

Lia leads a strong, highly capable Opposition team of Shadow Ministers from a wide range of business, private sector and community backgrounds, proving to be a formidable and effective alternative Government.

Lia is proud to have grown up in Palmerston and attended local schools right through to the end of year 12, before studying at university interstate.

Upon returning to Darwin after obtaining her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of International Studies at the University of Adelaide, she worked at a top tier national law firm and later specialised in commercial litigation at a home grown firm.

Lia’s time as President of Business and Professional Women (Darwin) and Secretary of the Palmerston Regional Business Association were valuable experiences that reinforced the importance of local business to our economy and social fabric. For her work in these organisations she was named an Australian of the Year Young Achiever (NT) finalist.

Her passion for grassroots representation in parliament sees Lia spending much of her time immersed on the ground right across the Territory always making herself accessible and accountable to Territorians.

Lia is fiercely focused on making the Territory the ‘can-do’ capital of Australia, she understands her responsibility to help grow the Territory for future generations, by fiercely protecting our lifestyle and ensuring ongoing economic prosperity.

Lia’s Plan for a Safe, Strong Territory will take back control of the streets, rebuild the Territory’s reputation and get the Territory’s economy moving forwards again.

Outside of politics Lia enjoys the unique NT lifestyle with her two beautiful children, Isaac and Isla and her husband, Sam.

Parliamentary Service

  • Elected In 2012, for the central Palmerston seat of Drysdale as the youngest MLA in the history of the Legislative Assembly serving in the NT CLP Government.
  • In 2013, served as Minister for Sport and Recreation, Racing, Statehood, Young Territorians and Senior Territorians. Aged 28, she was the youngest minister in Territory history.
  • Following a redistribution of electoral boundaries in 2015, Mrs Finocchiaro successfully ran for the seat of Spillett.
  • In 2016 returned as the Member for Spillett in a position of Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
  • Elevated to Leader of the opposition in early 2020 with the retirement of The Hon Gary Higgins MLA.
  • 2020 saw Mrs Finocchiaro lead a team of 7 MLAs to create a formidable opposition team.