FACT SHEET 4Will Statehood give us a bigger voice in Canberra? |
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• Over the coming few years, Territorians will be asked to decide on what terms they would accept Statehood. • Statehood for the Territory could, for example, be conditional upon minimum guarantees of representation in Canberra. • To some extent, the voice a State has in Canberra depends upon its population. • The existing States have guaranteed minimum representation, so that they have the same number of senators and a guaranteed minimum of five members in the House of Representatives. • The conditions the Northern Territory, the Commonwealth and the states agree to for Northern Territory entry into the Commonwealth as a state will determine the voice we have in Canberra. • Historically the Northern Territory has had a very small voice in Canberra. • This voice has grown over time as we have achieved Self Government and Territory senate representatives have finally been allowed to participate fully in all Commonwealth law making. • By becoming a State on negotiated terms that cannot be changed by the Commonwealth without Territory approval we can have a stronger voice in Canberra. • It is only by becoming a State that Territorians can achieve equality with all other Australians. • Statehood means as the Territory grows and develops we get .a bigger, louder, stronger voice in Canberra.
Northern Territory Statehood Steering Committee
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