Newbies dominate parliament after landslide election

Uibo and Finocchiaro lead the new speaker to the chair
Northern Territory parliament has resumed for the first time since the election. -AAP Image

The Northern Territory has created history with Australia's first parliament to feature an Indigenous woman leading a major party and nearly half the floor new members.

Parliament officially returned for business after the territory's administrator welcomed new and old members to the floor. 

Following the Country Liberal Party's landslide victory at the polls on August 24, nearly half of NT's parliament sworn-in by Administrator Hugh Heggie on Tuesday are first-time members. 

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro announced assistant ministries on Monday, meaning everyone in her 17-seat government now has ministerial portfolios. 

She also named former CLP member, now independent MLA Robyn Lambley as the Speaker. 

The chief minister said Ms Lambley, the member for Araluen, had served with "honour and distinction" since 2010. 

"Robyn is what is known in the Westminster system as the mother of the house," Ms Finocchiaro told parliament.

She said she hoped Ms Lambley would bring a spirit of collaboration. 

The motion was supported by Labor leader Selena Uibo and passed unopposed. 

In an act of tradition, comedy and unity, the two party leaders took Ms Lambley arm in arm reluctantly to her seat above the assembly. 

"Traditionally, the Speaker is dragged up to this chair reluctantly," Ms Lambley said. 

Lia Finocchiaro has given all of her members ministerial portfolios. ((A)manda Parkinson/AAP PHOTOS)

"But I take it up with no reluctance … it is a high honour you have bestowed on me." 

As the first Indigenous woman to lead a major Australian political party, Ms Uibo - a Nunggubuyu woman - was guided to her seat by the Numbulwar Red Flag Dancers

After recently losing her mother, the emotional moment moved many in parliament including federal Labor counterpart Senator Malandirri McCarthy and Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour. 

The territory's 15th assembly began debating legislation on Tuesday following the opening ceremonies. 

It is expected Ms Finocchiaro will bring her suite of crime-repeals called Declan's law before parliament on Wednesday, where they will be passed on urgency. 

"We took a very clear plan for that first sittings in parliament, and I'm very, very proud to be part of a team who's worked tirelessly over the last seven weeks to make sure we can deliver on that commitment," she told reporters on Monday.

"We make no apologies for delivering on our election commitment to make the territory safe."