Northern Territory Government

Northern Territory Government
Government of the Northern Territory of Australia
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
Country Australia
Polity Northern Territory
LeaderChief Minister of the Northern Territory (Eva Lawler)
Appointed byAdministrator of the Northern Territory (Hugh Heggie) on behalf of the Governor General of Australia (David Hurley)
Main organ
Ministries11 Government Departments
Responsible toParliament of the Northern Territory
Annual budget$10 billion (2023-2024)
HeadquartersParliament House, Darwin
Websitent.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.

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.

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:

Current composition

Portrait Minister Portfolio Took office Left office Duration of tenure Electorate
Eva Lawler MLA
21 December 2023 Incumbent 49 days Drysdale
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 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:

Officeholder Office(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.[citation needed]

See also


This page was last updated at 2024-02-10 06:48 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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