15-591: The Northern Territory Electoral Commission ( NTEC ) is an independent government agency of the Government of the Northern Territory with responsibility for the conduct of elections for the unicameral NT Legislative Assembly , referendums and local government (Council) elections. It also determines electoral boundaries for the NT and provides electoral advice and services to government and on-government agencies. It
30-548: A legislative assembly . Whilst this assembly exercises roughly the same powers as the governments of the states of Australia, it does so by delegation of powers from the commonwealth government, rather than by any constitutional right. For several years there has been agitation for full statehood. Under the Australian Constitution , the Federal government may set the terms of entry to full statehood. The Northern Territory
45-711: 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
60-718: Is also responsible for electoral research, registration of political parties and tracking of their finances, and promoting public awareness of elections. The NTEC was established on 15 March 2004, by the Electoral Act 2004 . The NT Electoral Commission consists of a small number of full-time staff, including the Electoral Commissioner, Iain Loganathan. The commission hires casual workers around election times, when work levels grow. AEC NSWEC VEC ECQ WAEC ECSA TEC ACTEC NTEC Government of
75-570: 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
90-674: 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 28 August 2024, the head of government is Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro of the Country Liberal Party , following the election defeat of Eva Lawler as chief minister on 24 August 2024. Legislative power rests with the Legislative Assembly , which consists of
105-663: The Northern Territory 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
120-508: The Yes case. The opposition Labor Party supported the No case. The referendum was narrowly defeated, 51.9% to 48.1%. The "Yes" case received 44,702 votes, the "No" case 48,241. There were 1068 invalid ballots. The result was widely interpreted as a personal rebuke to then Chief Minister Shane Stone . Polls suggest that most of the people living in the Northern Territory continue to support statehood for
135-632: 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 ). The government consists of a Ministry appointed by the Administrator, from the elected members of the Assembly. The Administrator normally appoints the leader of
150-519: 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 . Source: 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
165-460: The offer which was made. A bipartisan NT Legislative Assembly Committee, chaired by former Chief Minister Stephen Hatton , had proposed a draft Constitution and that it should be debated at an elected Constitutional Convention. Shane Stone ignored the latter recommendation, nominating a Convention membership of 53 members at short notice, and then presented to the Convention a draft Constitution that
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#1732851434842180-495: The territory in principle. The failed referendum has been seen as the trigger for the demise of the CLP government which had been in power since 1974. In February 1999, months after the failed referendum, Stone resigned as Chief Minister with the failed referendum being the trigger for his ousting. He was replaced by Denis Burke who then led the CLP to defeat in 2001 election marking the end of 27 years of CLP rule. The territory has
195-520: 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
210-473: 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. 1998 Northern Territory referendum 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
225-496: Was offered three Senators , rather than the twelve guaranteed to original states. (Because of the difference in populations, equal numbers of Senate seats would mean a Territorian's vote for a Senator would have been worth more than 30 votes in New South Wales or Victoria .) Alongside what was cited as an arrogant approach adopted by then Chief Minister Shane Stone , it is believed that most Territorians were reluctant to adopt
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