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Administrator of the Northern Territory facts for kids

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Flag of the Northern Territory
Flag of the Northern Territory

The Administrator of the Northern Territory is a special leader chosen for the Northern Territory in Australia. They are picked by the Governor-General of Australia, who is the Queen's representative in Australia. The Governor-General chooses the Administrator based on advice from the Australian government.

Since 1978, the Northern Territory has been "self-governing." This means it can make many of its own laws. Now, the Northern Territory government suggests who should be the Administrator.

The Administrator's job is to make sure the Northern Territory follows the laws that give it self-government. Their role is very similar to a State Governor in other parts of Australia.

The position of Deputy of the Administrator was created in 1997. This person helps the Administrator.

The current Administrator is Sally Thomas, AM.

Early Leaders: South Australia (1846 to 1912)

The Northern Territory was once part of South Australia. From 1846 to 1912, the person in charge was called the Government Resident.

No. Government Resident From To
1 Sir Charles Augustus FitzRoy, KCH, KCB 21 February 1846 28 December 1846
2 The Hon. Boyle Finniss 3 March 1864 4 November 1865
3 William Bloomfield Douglas 27 April 1870 June 1873
4 George Byng Scott 6 October 1873 30 June 1876
5 Edward William Price 1 July 1876 6 March 1883
6 John Parsons 19 March 1884 14 February 1890
7 John Knight FRIBA 16 July 1890 10 January 1892
8 Charles James Dashwood 24 February 1892 31 January 1905
9 Charles Edward Herbert 1 February 1905 8 February 1910
10 The Hon. Samuel Mitchell 1 April 1910 25 March 1912

Leaders under the Australian Government (1912 to Present)

The Australian government took over control of the Northern Territory in 1912. Since then, different titles have been used for its leader.

Administrator (1912 to 1919)

The first leader under the Australian government was called the Administrator.

John Gilruth 1
From left: Minister Josiah Thomas, Sir Walter Barttelot and Administrator John Gilruth in 1912.
No. Administrator From To
1 John Gilruth FRSE MRCVS 25 March 1912 1 August 1919

Director (1919 to 1921)

For a short time, the leader was known as the Director.

No. Director From To
1 Henry Ernest Carey 1 August 1919 17 January 1921

Administrator (1921 to 1927)

The title of Administrator was used again for a few years.

No. Administrator From To
1 Frederic Urquhart 17 January 1921 1 March 1927

Government Resident (1927 to 1931)

For a period, there were two Government Residents. One was for North Australia and one for Central Australia. The Central Australia resident was based in Alice Springs.

Government Resident (North Australia)

No. Government Resident (North Australia) From To
1 Robert Weddell 1 March 1927 12 June 1931

Government Resident (Central Australia)

No. Government Resident (Central Australia) From To
1 John Cawood 1 March 1927 11 December 1929
2 Victor Carrington MBE 11 December 1929 12 June 1931

Administrator (1931 to Present)

Since 1931, the leader of the Northern Territory has been called the Administrator.

No. Administrator Post-
Nominal		 From To
1 Robert Weddell 12 June 1931 29 March 1937
2 The Hon. Aubrey Abbott 29 March 1937 1 July 1946
3 Arthur Driver BEM 1 July 1946 1 July 1951
4 The Hon. Frank Wise AO 1 July 1951 1 July 1956
5 James Archer OBE 1 July 1956 1 April 1961
6 Roger Nott CBE 1 April 1961 1 October 1964
7 Roger Dean CBE 1 October 1964 4 March 1970
8 The Hon. Sir Frederick Chaney KBE AFC 4 March 1970 10 December 1973
9 John Norman Nelson 10 December 1973 1 June 1978
10 John England CMG 1 June 1978 1 January 1981
11 Commodore Eric Johnston AO OBE RAN 1 January 1981 1 July 1989
12 The Hon. James Muirhead AC QC 1 July 1989 1 March 1993
13 The Hon. Austin Asche AC QC 1 March 1993 17 February 1997
14 Dr. Neil Conn AO 17 February 1997 28 November 2000
15 John Anictomatis AO 28 November 2000 30 October 2003
16 Ted Egan AO 31 October 2003 31 October 2007
17 Tom Pauling AO QC 31 October 2007 31 October 2011
18 Sally Thomas AM 31 October 2011 Present

Deputy of the Administrator (1997 to Present)

The job of the Deputy of the Administrator was created in 1997. This person helps the Administrator with their duties.

No. Deputy of the Administrator From To
1 Minna Sitzler AM 17 February 1997 30 November 2001
2 Pat Miller AO 20 September 2002 present
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