Parliament Northern Territory
the northern territory parliament 1 of 3 unicameral parliaments in country. based on westminster system, consists of northern territory legislative assembly created in 1974, replacing northern territory legislative council.
the northern territory legislative council partly elected governing body 1947 until replacement elected northern territory legislative assembly in 1974. total enrolment 1947 election 4,443. northern territory split 5 electorates: darwin, alice springs, tennant creek, batchelor, , stuart.
whilst assembly exercises similar powers governments of states of australia, legislated devolution of powers commonwealth government, rather constitutional right. such, commonwealth government retains right legislate territory, including power override legislation passed legislative assembly. monarch represented administrator of northern territory, performs role similar of state governor.
twenty-five members of legislative assembly elected four-year terms single-member electorates.
for several years there has been agitation full statehood. referendum of voters in northern territory held on issue in 1998, resulted in no vote. shock both northern territory , commonwealth governments, opinion polls showed territorians supported statehood. however, under australian constitution, federal government may set terms of entry full statehood. northern territory offered 3 senators, rather twelve guaranteed original states. (because of difference in populations, equal numbers of senate seats mean territorian s vote senator have been worth more 30 votes in new south wales or victoria.) alongside cited arrogant approach adopted chief minister shane stone, believed territorians, regardless of general views on statehood, reluctant adopt particular offer made.
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