Australian Bureau of Statistics
Celebrating the International Year of Statistics 2013

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TERRITORY GOVERNMENT

SELF GOVERNING

The Commonwealth Government assumed control of both the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory during 1911. The Northern Territory (since 1978) and the Australian Capital Territory (since 1989) are now self-governing territories with powers almost matching those of the original states. The Northern Territory has been working towards full statehood, though a referendum on the question was rejected by Northern Territory voters in 1998. Norfolk Island was accepted into the Commonwealth as an Australian territory in 1914. The Norfolk Island Act 1979 grants a considerable degree of self-government.

The Northern Territory and Norfolk Island both have an administrator of the territory, appointed by the Governor-General (table 2.8). The Australian Capital Territory has neither administrator nor governor. Each territory has an elected Legislative Assembly, with a wide range of powers.

2.8 ADMINISTRATORS - September 2005
Northern Territory	The Hon. EJ Egan, AM
Norfolk Island	The Hon. GEJ Tambling
Source: Library of the Commonwealth Parliament.

Each territory has a government headed by a chief minister (table 2.9). The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory have a formally recognised opposition headed by an opposition leader. Norfolk Island’s Legislative Assembly does not possess a formal opposition.

2.9 CHIEF MINISTERS - September 2005
Northern Territory	The Hon. CM Martin, MLA (ALP)
Australian Capital Territory	The Hon. J Stanhope, MLA (ALP)
Norfolk Island	The Hon. GR Gardner
Source: Library of the Commonwealth Parliament.

NON-SELF GOVERNING

Jervis Bay Territory, and the external territories of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, Coral Sea Islands, and Ashmore and Cartier Islands, make up the non-self governing territories of Australia.

The resident communities in each of Jervis Bay Territory, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island are provided with an extensive range of government services. Each of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island has an elected local government, and residents may vote in Commonwealth parliamentary elections in the electorate of Lingiari (Northern Territory). Residents of Jervis Bay Territory are enrolled in the electorate of Fraser (Australian Capital Territory).

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