 As they were the only opposition members of the legislature, Higgins and Finocchiaro divided all shadow portfolios between them.Higgins served as Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Housing and Community Development, Tourism and Culture, Environment and Natural Resources, Public Employment, Corporate and Information Services, Primary Industry and Resources and Northern Australia.On 20 January 2020, Higgins announced his resignation as leader of the Country Liberals, citing health problems, and confirmed he will retire from the Legislative Assembly at the next Territory election in August 2020.