• Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro today secured two big wins for the Northern Territory following a successful National Cabinet.
   
• New National Firearms Agreement means Territory gun owners will not be part of a National Gun Buyback Scheme.
   
• Nationally consistent regulation of data centres will go ahead, with full recognition that the Territory’s position on energy is uniquely different to the other states.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro today secured two big wins for the Northern Territory following a successful National Cabinet.

As the first state leader to refuse to limit the number of guns or sign up to the National Gun Buyback Scheme, today both are now confirmed through the signing of the new National Firearms Agreement.

“Today is a big win for law-abiding Territory gun owners who will not be part of a National Gun Buyback Scheme," the Chief Minister said.

“From day one it was never an option for Territorians to be unfairly targeted in response to the atrocities that took place at Bondi.”

Instead, the focus of the newly signed Agreement includes three critical components.

· Sharing of criminal intelligence with States and Territories

· Making Australian citizenship a condition of holding a firearms licence subject to agreed exemptions (for example, workers)

· Prohibiting the manufacture of 3D-printed firearms, and the possession and distribution of material for manufacturing 3D firearms.

“The Territory has already made the necessary changes to our laws on 3D-printed firearms,” the Chief Minister said.

Nationally consistent regulation of data centres will go ahead, with full recognition that the Territory’s position on energy is uniquely different to the other states.

“I thank the Prime Minister and my State and Territory counterparts for recognising that the Territory needs a different approach," the Chief Minister said.

“When it comes to issues like data security, data sovereignty, water usage, and location of data centres we need a nationally consistent approach because all Australians know this is important.

“Today’s deal recognises the Beetaloo Basin will be online within days, we are not part of the National Electricity Market and we have a Territory-owned generation, transmission, and distribution system.

“Our focus remains on affordability and reliability of electricity for Territorians above all else.

“We are proud of the large uptake of renewables in the Territory, and they will continue to be an important part of our energy mix.

“Today’s result comes after I secured an additional $1b for our hospitals at the last face to face National Cabinet in February of this year.”

The Chief Minister is travelling back to Darwin this evening and will be in Parliament tomorrow for the important debate.

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom