Administrator of the Northern Territory facts for kids
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.
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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.

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 |