Northern Territory Government
Territorial Government
Logo of the Northern Territory Government and its agencies Coat of arms of the Northern Territory
The Northern Territory Government logo used to corporately identity the executive government and its agencies (left); and the Coat of arms of the Northern Territory, used across the government (right)
Formation
Territory Northern Territory
Country Australia
Websitent.gov.au
Legislative branch
LegislatureParliament of the Northern Territory
Meeting placeParliament House
Executive branch
Head of governmentChief Minister
Main bodyNorthern Territory Ministry
Appointed byAdministrator
HeadquartersParliament House
Main organExecutive Council
Departments10 departments
Judicial branch
CourtSupreme Court
SeatSupreme court building, Darwin

The Government of the Northern Territory of Australia, also referred to as the Northern Territory Government, is the Australian territorial democratic administrative authority 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.

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. [1][2][3]

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:[4][5]

Current composition

Portrait Minister Portfolio[6] Took office Left office Duration of tenure Electorate
Eva Lawler MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 22 days Drysdale
Chansey Paech MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 22 days Gwoja
Selena Uibo MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 22 days Arnhem
Kate Worden MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 22 days Sanderson
Ngaree Ah Kit MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 22 days Karama
Brent Potter MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 22 days Fannie Bay
Joel Bowden MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 22 days Johnston
Mark Monaghan MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 22 days Fong Lim

Source:[7]

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
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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Eva Lawler to become Northern Territory chief minister". ABC News. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "How $2,500 worth of shares brought down the NT chief minister". ABC News. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  3. ↑ "The NT chief minister has resigned. Here's who could replace her". ABC News. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  4. ↑ "The Cabinet - NT.GOV.AU". NT.GOV.AU. Northern Territory Government. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  5. ↑ "The Shadow Ministry - NT.GOV.AU". NT.GOV.AU. Northern Territory Government. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  6. ↑ Lawler, Eva (21 December 2023). "Lawler Ministry to Build the Territory's Future". createsend.com. Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  7. ↑ "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

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