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- Since self government in 1978 there have been eight general elections in the Northern Territory.
- Each Territorian of voting age (18 and over) has the opportunity to participate in choosing their government.
- According to a 2005 Report for the Australian Electoral Commission the participation rates for electors in the Northern Territory on the Electoral Roll is 97.19%. The same report indicates that the accuracy rate for enrolments in the Northern Territory is the worst in Australia at only 80%. This is partly attributable to the NT having the highest mobility rate (over 26%) in the country.
- One challenge to Statehood is engaging Territorians who may not intend to reside permanently in the Territory. No matter if people are here for the short or long term their political voice is lessened by virtue of living in the Territory.
- Some people have said that because we are a young jurisdiction with limited self government for less than 30 years we may be ‘politically immature’.
- The Northern Territory (Self Government) Act (See Fact Sheet 1) is legislation of the Commonwealth Parliament in Canberra.
- The Self Government Act provides for limited self government. Its limitations do not reflect the maturity of the Northern Territory electorate but are a reflection of Canberra’s previous unwillingness to provide for equal status of the Northern Territory with the States.
- At the 2005 election, the Northern Territory electorate voted in five Aboriginal members (making up 20% of MLAs) ten women members (40% of MLAs) and other members from non English speaking backgrounds. The diversity of our parliament reflects a young diverse community.
- The Statehood Steering Committee provides all Territorians with an opportunity to participate in the process to determine how we want to be governed if we become a State.
- You may wish to tell us what you think and what other information you may need before you might consider Statehood for the Northern Territory.
- Visit our website - www.statehood.nt.gov.au Email us - statehood@nt.gov.au
Northern Territory Statehood Steering Committee
statehood@nt.gov.au
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