MOST POWERFUL 05 PAUL HENDERSON Hendo is the everywhere man. The former Chief Minister from 2007 to 2012 is now front and centre of the Territory’s economic fightback as co-chair of the Economic Reconstruction Commission with Andrew Liveris. With Liveris’ immense commitments nationally and overseas, Henderson will be the commission’s main go-to man on the ground in the NT. As Chief Minister, Henderson played a pivotal role in securing the $60 billion lchthys LNG project for Darwin, the second largest investment in Australia’s history and the largest investment outside of Japan by a Japanese company. He is now a strategic business consultant and corporate counsel across northern Australia, chancellor of Charles Darwin University and a board member of the Energy Club NT. Originally from the United Kingdom, Henderson has been a proud Territorian since 1983. He had a background in marine engineering and IT before holding public service leadership positions and being elected to service in the NT Legislative Assembly in 1999. There are a few former state and national leaders who should take a leaf out of Hendo’s book, showing you can still make a meaningful difference when you leave office if you don’t become a vindictive, bitter wanker. LIA FINOCCHIARO Finocchiaro revived the CLP at the election and turned it into a real Opposition. The pint-sized CLP leader has taken the power effectively thrust upon her after the retirement of Gary Higgins and run with it. With her at the helm, the CLP has managed to increase its numbers in parliament from two MLAs to eight. Finocchiaro is largely considered the CLP’s best hope of retaking government at the next election and has the potential to be the party’s best performer as Chief Minister since Marshall Perron. A Territorian through and through, Finocchiaro is the youngest ever MLA to be elevated to Cabinet in a reshuffle during Terry Mills’ brief tenure. Armed with a background in law, Finocchiaro is a political force on the floor of Parliament when legislation is debated and pokes holes in the government’s proposed laws with ease. Finocchiaro is absolutely determined to be the Northern Territory’s next chief minister after the 2024 election. If she is successful, she will be aged only 39. Surprisingly, three others before her have become chief minister in their 30s — Paul Everingham, Stephen Hatton and Adam Giles. V2 - NTNE01Z01FC Saturday, December 19, 2020 05.