Northern Territory Government
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.
| Territorial Government | |
| 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 |
| Website | nt |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature | Parliament of the Northern Territory |
| Meeting place | Parliament House |
| Executive branch | |
| Head of government | Chief Minister |
| Main body | Northern Territory Ministry |
| Appointer | Administrator |
| Headquarters | Parliament House |
| Main organ | Executive Council |
| Departments | 10 departments |
| Judicial branch | |
| Court | Supreme Court |
| Seat | Supreme court building. Darwin |
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 13 May 2022, the head of government has been Chief Minister Natasha Fyles of the Labor Party, replacing Michael Gunner after his surprise resignation.[1] As of 16 May 2022 the Northern Territory's government website is yet to update the official cabinet positions.[2]
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
| Minister | Offices | Portrait | Party | Opposition counterpart | Offices | Portrait | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Gunner MLA | Chief Minister Treasurer Minister for Major Projects and Territory Economic Reconstruction Minister for Strategic Defence Relations | Labor | Lia Finocchiaro MLA | Leader of the Opposition Shadow Treasurer Shadow Minister for Major Projects and Territory Economic Reconstruction Shadow Minister for Strategic Defence Relations | Country Liberal | ||||
| Nicole Manison MLA | Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister for Northern Australia and Trade | Labor | Shadow Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Shadow Minister for Northern Australia and Trade | ||||||
| Minister for Mining and Industry | Steve Edgington MLA | Shadow Minister for Mining and Industry | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Minister for Agribusiness and Aquaculture | Ian Sloan MLA | Shadow Minister for Agribusiness and Aquaculture | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Minister for International Education | Jo Hersey MLA | Shadow Minister for International Education | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Deputy Chief Minister Minister for Defence Industries | Gerard Maley MLA | Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister for Defence Industries | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Natasha Fyles MLA | Leader of Government Business Minister for Alcohol Policy Minister for National Resilience | Labor | Shadow Minister for Alcohol Policy Shadow Minister for National Resilience | ||||||
| Minister for Health | Bill Yan MLA | Shadow Minister for Health | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing | Marie-Clare Boothby MLA | Shadow Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Shadow Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Minister for Major Events | Joshua Burgoyne MLA | Shadow Minister for Major Events | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Eva Lawler MLA | Minister for Renewables and Energy Minister for Essential Services Minister for Climate Change | Labor | Shadow Minister for Renewables and Energy Shadow Minister for Essential Services Shadow Minister for Climate Change | ||||||
| Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics | Gerard Maley MLA | Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Minister for Environment Minister for Water Security | Jo Hersey MLA | Shadow Minister for Environment Shadow Minister for Water Security | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Lauren Moss MLA | Minister for Education Minister for Seniors | Labor | Shadow Minister for Education Shadow Minister for Seniors | ||||||
| Minister for Youth | Joshua Burgoyne MLA | Shadow Minister for Youth | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Minister for Women | Marie-Clare Boothby MLA | Shadow Minister for Women | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Minister for Children | Steve Edgington MLA | Shadow Minister for Children | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Selena Uibo MLA | Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Minister for Treaty and Local Decision Making | Labor | Shadow Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Shadow Minister for Treaty and Local Decision Making | ||||||
| Minister for Parks and Rangers | Bill Yan MLA | Shadow Minister for Parks and Rangers | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Paul Kirby MLA | Minister for Public Employment Minister for Corporate and Digital Development | Labor | Shadow Minister for Public Employment Shadow Minister for Corporate and Digital Development | ||||||
| Minister for Jobs and Training Minister for Small Business | Marie-Clare Boothby MLA | Shadow Minister for Jobs and Training Shadow Minister for Small Business | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Minister for Veterans Affairs | Ian Sloan MLA | Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Minister for Recreational Fishing | Gerard Maley MLA | Shadow Minister for Recreational Fishing | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Kate Worden MLA | Minister for Multicultural Affairs | Labor | Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs | ||||||
| Minister for Sport | Jo Hersey MLA | Shadow Minister for Sport | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing | Joshua Burgoyne MLA | Shadow Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Minister for Disabilities | Bill Yan MLA | Shadow Minister for Disabilities | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Chansey Paech MLA | Minister for Remote Housing and Town Camps | Labor | Shadow Minister for Remote Housing and Town Camps | ||||||
| Minister for Central Australia Economic Reconstruction | Joshua Burgoyne MLA | Shadow Minister for Central Australia Economic Reconstruction | Country Liberal | ||||||
| Minister for Local Government Minister for Indigenous Essential Services Minister for Arts and Culture | Ian Sloan MLA | Shadow Minister for Local Government Shadow Minister for Indigenous Essential Services Shadow Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage | Country Liberal | ||||||
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
References
- ^ Press, Australian Associated (13 May 2022). "Natasha Fyles named as new Northern Territory chief minister". the Guardian. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ Government, Northern Territory (16 September 2020). "The Cabinet". nt.gov.au. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ "The Cabinet - NT.GOV.AU". NT.GOV.AU. Northern Territory Government. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- ^ "The Shadow Ministry - NT.GOV.AU". NT.GOV.AU. Northern Territory Government. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2021.