Northern Territory Government

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Northern Territory Government
Government of the Northern Territory of Australia
Northern Territory Government logo.svg
The Northern Territory Government logo used to identity the executive government. The coat of arms of the Northern Territory is used to identify the territory as a whole.
Overview
Established
CountryFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
PolityFlag of the Northern Territory.svg  Northern Territory
Leader Chief Minister of the Northern Territory (Eva Lawler)
Appointed by Administrator of the Northern Territory (Hugh Heggie) on behalf of the Governor General of Australia (David Hurley)
Main organ
Ministries11 Government Departments
Responsible to Parliament of the Northern Territory
Annual budget$10 billion (2023-2024) [1]
Headquarters Parliament House, Darwin
Website nt.gov.au

The Government of the Northern Territory of Australia, also referred to as the Northern Territory Government, the Government of the Northern Territory or simply the NT Government, is the executive branch of the Northern Territory. The Government of Northern Territory was formed in 1978 with the granting of self-government to the Territory. The Northern Territory is a territory of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Constitution of Australia and Commonwealth law regulates its relationship with the Commonwealth.

Contents

Under the Australian Constitution, the Commonwealth has full legislative power, if it chooses to exercise it, over the Northern Territory, and has devolved self-government to the Territory. The Northern Territory legislature does not have the legislative independence of the Australian states but has power in all matters not in conflict with the Constitution and applicable Commonwealth laws, but subject to a Commonwealth veto.

Since 21 December 2023, the head of government has been Chief Minister Eva Lawler of the Labor Party, following the resignation of Natasha Fyles as chief minister on 20 December 2023 following the undisclosed share and conflict of interest scandal. [2] [3] [4]

Legislative powers

Legislative power rests with the Legislative Assembly, which consists of the Administrator of the Northern Territory and the members of the Assembly. While the Assembly exercises roughly the same powers as the state governments of Australia, it does so by a delegation of powers from the Commonwealth, rather than by any constitutional right. This means that the Australian Parliament retains the right to legislate for the Territory, if it chooses to exercise it. Under the law granting self-government to the Territory, the Federal Cabinet can advise the Governor-General of Australia to overturn any legislation passed by the Assembly. (See also Electoral systems of the Australian states and territories).

Executive powers

The government consists of a Ministry appointed by the Administrator, from the elected members of the Assembly. The Administrator normally appoints the leader of the majority party in the Assembly as the Chief Minister. The other members of the ministry are appointed by the Administrator on the advice of the Chief Minister. The Northern Territory Government is a member of the Council of Australian Governments.

Current ministries

Source: [5] [6]

Current composition

PortraitMinisterPortfolio [7] Took officeLeft officeDuration of tenure Electorate
Eva Lawler MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 49 days Drysdale
Chansey Paech.jpg Chansey Paech MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 49 days Gwoja
Selena Uibo MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 49 days Arnhem
Kate Worden MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 49 days Sanderson
Ngaree Ah Kit Talisman Sabre 2015.jpg Ngaree Ah Kit MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 49 days Karama
Brent Potter MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 49 days Fannie Bay
Joel Bowden MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 49 days Johnston
Mark Monaghan MLA 21 December 2023 Incumbent 49 days Fong Lim

Source: [8]

OfficeholderOffice(s)Image
Lia Finocchiaro MP
  • Leader of the Opposition
  • Shadow Treasurer
  • Shadow Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
  • Shadow Minister for Major Projects and Territory Economic Reconstruction
  • Shadow Minister for Strategic Defence Relations
  • Shadow Minister for Northern Australia and Trade
Lia Finocchiaro Profile.jpg
Gerard Maley MP
  • Deputy Leader of the Opposition
  • Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics
  • Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs
  • Shadow Minister for Defence Industries
  • Shadow Minister for Recreational Fishing
  • Shadow Minister for Alcohol Policy
  • Shadow Minister for National Resilience
Steve Edgington MP
  • Shadow Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
  • Shadow Minister for Mining and Industry
  • Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
  • Shadow Minister for Children
  • Shadow Minister for Treaty and Local Decision Making
  • Shadow Minister for Local Government
Joshua Burgoyne MP
  • Shadow Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing
  • Shadow Minister for Central Australia Economic Reconstruction
  • Shadow Minister for Renewables and Energy
  • Shadow Minister for Essential Services
  • Shadow Minister for Major Events
  • Shadow Minister for Youth
  • Shadow Minister for Climate Change
  • Shadow Minister for Agribusiness and Aquaculture
Marie-Clare Boothby MP
  • Shadow Minister for Tourism and Hospitality
  • Shadow Minister for Small Business
  • Shadow Minister for Jobs and Training
  • Shadow Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing
  • Shadow Minister for Women
  • Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Jo Hersey MP
  • Shadow Minister for Education
  • Shadow Minister for Environment
  • Shadow Minister for International Education
  • Shadow Minister for Sport
  • Shadow Minister for Water Security
  • Shadow Minister for Seniors
  • Shadow Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage
Bill Yan MP
  • Shadow Minister for Health
  • Shadow Minister for Remote Housing and Town Camps
  • Shadow Minister for Public Employment
  • Shadow Minister for Corporate and Digital Development
  • Shadow Minister for Disabilities
  • Shadow Minister for Parks and Rangers
  • Shadow Minister for Indigenous Essential Services


Proposed Northern Territory statehood

For many years there has been agitation for statehood. A referendum was held on the issue in 1998, but the proposal was narrowly rejected. This was a shock to both the Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments, for opinion polls showed most Territorians supported statehood. However, under s. 121 of the Australian Constitution, the terms of admission of new states are decided by the Commonwealth Parliament. The terms offered included an increase to three seats in the Senate from two. The other states all have 12 senators. Alongside what was cited as an arrogant approach adopted by then Chief Minister Shane Stone, it is thought that many Territorians were reluctant to accept statehood on the offered terms.[ citation needed ]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Country Liberal Party</span> Northern Territory political party

The Country Liberal Party of the Northern Territory (CLP), commonly known as the Country Liberals, is a centre-right political party in Australia's Northern Territory. In local politics, it operates in a two-party system with the Australian Labor Party (ALP). It also contests federal elections as an affiliate of the Liberal Party of Australia and National Party of Australia, the two partners in the federal coalition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chief Minister of the Northern Territory</span> Head of the Northern Territory

The chief minister of the Northern Territory is the head of government of the Northern Territory. The office is the equivalent of a state premier. When the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly was created in 1974, the head of government was officially known as majority leader. This title was used in the first parliament (1974–1977) and the first eighteen months of the second. When self-government was granted the Northern Territory in 1978, the title of the head of government became chief minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Territory</span> Territory of Australia

The Northern Territory is an Australian territory in the central and central northern regions of Australia. The Northern Territory shares its borders with Western Australia to the west, South Australia to the south, and Queensland to the east. To the north, the territory looks out to the Timor Sea, the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria, including Western New Guinea and other islands of the Indonesian archipelago.

The premiers and chief ministers of the Australian states and territories are the heads of the executive governments in the six states and two self-governing territories of Australia. They perform the same function at the state and territory level as the Prime Minister of Australia performs at the national level. The King of Australia and the state governors are the formal repositories of executive power; however, in practice they act only on the advice of state premiers and ministers except in extreme circumstances, such as a constitutional crisis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Territory Legislative Assembly</span> Legislative house of the unicameral legislature of the Northern Territory

The Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory is the unicameral legislature of the Northern Territory of Australia. The Legislative Assembly has 25 members, each elected in single-member electorates for four-year terms. The voting method for the Assembly is the full-preferential voting system, having previously been optional preferential voting. Elections are on the fourth Saturday in August of the fourth year after the previous election, but can be earlier in the event of a no confidence vote in the Government. The most recent election for the Legislative Assembly was the 2020 election held on 22 August 2020. The next election is scheduled for 24 August 2024.

A referendum was held in the Northern Territory on Saturday, 3 October 1998, to decide whether the Territory should become a State of the Commonwealth of Australia. The Country Liberal Party government, and its federal counterpart, supported the Yes case. The opposition Labor Party supported the No case.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of the Australian Capital Territory</span> Territory government of the Australian Capital Territory, Australia

The Government of the Australian Capital Territory, also referred to as the Australian Capital Territory Government or ACT Government, is the executive branch of the Australian Capital Territory, one of the territories of Australia. The leader of the party or coalition with the confidence of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly forms government. Unlike the Australian States and the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly directly elects one of their number to be the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory as the head of the Government, rather than being appointed by a Governor or Administrator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aubrey Abbott</span> Australian politician

Charles Lydiard Aubrey Abbott was an Australian politician and administrator of the Northern Territory. He was born at St Leonards, Sydney, to Thomas Kingsmill Abbott, a magistrate, and Marion, née Lydiard. He came from a political family – his uncles, Sir Joseph Abbott and William Abbott, had served in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, while his cousins, Joe Abbott and Mac Abbott, would later enter Federal parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malarndirri McCarthy</span> Australian politician and journalist

Malarndirri Barbara McCarthy is an Australian politician and former journalist who has been a Senator for the Northern Territory since 2016. She is an Assistant Minister in the Albanese Government, and previously served in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliament of the Northern Territory</span>

The Parliament of the Northern Territory is the unicameral legislature of the Northern Territory of Australia. It consists of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly and the Administrator of the Northern Territory, who represents the Governor-General. It is one of three unicameral parliaments in Australia, along with those of Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. The Legislative Assembly replaced the previous Legislative Council in 1974. It sits in Parliament House, Darwin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Gunner</span> Australian politician

Michael Patrick Francis Gunner is an Australian former politician who was the 11th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory from 2016 to 2022. He was a Labor member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, holding the seat of Fannie Bay in Darwin from the retirement of then Chief Minister Clare Martin at the 2008 election until his resignation in July 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delia Lawrie</span> Australian politician

Delia Phoebe Lawrie is an Australian politician. She was a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2001 to 2016, representing the electorate of Karama. She was a Labor member from 2001 to 2015, and served as party leader and Leader of the Opposition from 2012 to 2015. On 10 October 2015, following her loss of Labor preselection to recontest her seat at the 2016 election, she resigned from the party to sit as an independent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lia Finocchiaro</span> Australian politician (born 1984)

Lia Emele Finocchiaro is an Australian politician. She has been a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for the seat of Spillett since her election in 2016. She became Leader of the Opposition in the Northern Territory after the resignation of Gary Higgins on 1 February 2020. She was previously the member for Drysdale from 2012 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natasha Fyles</span> Australian politician

Natasha Kate Fyles is an Australian politician and former teacher who served as the 12th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory and Minister for Health. She was the leader of the Northern Territory branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) from May 2022 until her resignation in December 2023. She is a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the division of Nightcliff, a position she has held since August 2012. She previously served as 22nd attorney-general of the Northern Territory and the territory’s minister for Justice from 2016 to 2020.

Gary John Higgins is an Australian former politician. A member of the Country Liberal Party, he was elected to represent the seat of Daly in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly at the 2012 election. After the 2016 election, the CLP was reduced to only two members in the Legislative Assembly, with Higgins becoming party leader and Leader of the Opposition. Following health problems, he resigned both positions in favour of Lia Finocchiaro in February 2020, and retired at the 2020 election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicole Manison</span> Australian politician

Nicole Susan Manison is an Australian politician. She has been a Labor Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly since 2013, representing the electorate of Wanguri. She previously served as Deputy Chief Minister from 2016 to 2023, serving under both Michael Gunner and Natasha Fyles. She was also Treasurer from 2016 to 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proposed Northern Territory statehood</span> Proposed seventh state of Australia

The Northern Territory (NT) is the most commonly mentioned potential seventh state of Australia. The most common proposed name for the state is Northern Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Northern Territory general election</span>

The 2020 Northern Territory general election was held on 22 August 2020 to elect all 25 members of the Legislative Assembly in the unicameral Northern Territory Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Northern Territory general election</span>

The 2024 Northern Territory general election is scheduled to be held on 24 August 2024 to elect all 25 members of the Legislative Assembly in the unicameral Northern Territory Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fyles ministry</span>

The Fyles Ministry was the ministry of the 12th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Natasha Fyles. It came into operation on 13 May 2022 succeeding the second Gunner ministry. It was dissolved on 21 December 2023 and replaced by the Lawler ministry.

References

  1. Northern Territory Government. "BUDGET 2023-24 Budget Paper No. 2 BUDGET STRATEGY AND OUTLOOK" (PDF). NT Budget 2023. Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  2. "Eva Lawler to become Northern Territory chief minister". ABC News. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  3. "How $2,500 worth of shares brought down the NT chief minister". ABC News. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  4. "The NT chief minister has resigned. Here's who could replace her". ABC News. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  5. "The Cabinet - NT.GOV.AU". NT.GOV.AU. Northern Territory Government. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  6. "The Shadow Ministry - NT.GOV.AU". NT.GOV.AU. Northern Territory Government. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  7. Lawler, Eva (21 December 2023). "Lawler Ministry to Build the Territory's Future". createsend.com. Northern Territory Government . Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  8. "Shadow Ministry - 14th Assembly – Northern Territory Government – Legislative Assembly". Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory. Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.

Notes