Northern Territory general election, 1987
Encyclopedia
A general election was held in the Northern Territory
on Saturday 7 March 1987. Although the incumbent Country Liberal Party
(CLP) won a majority under new leader Stephen Hatton
, the party's vote was down almost 20 percentage points.
At the 1987 election, the CLP faced a challenge from the Northern Territory Nationals
, a rebel conservative party led by former CLP Chief Minister Ian Tuxworth
that was aligned with then-Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen
, but not affiliated with the federal National Party of Australia
. The NT Nationals took 17.79% of the primary vote, mostly from the CLP, but finished with only one member in the assembly. Hatton, despite a loss of three seats, retained a working majority.
Labor's vote remained virtually unchanged. As in 1983, its assembly tally was six.
Two former-CLP independents were re-elected in their seats. Noel Padgham-Purich
was re-elected to Koolpinyah
, while Denis Collins
was re-elected to Sadadeen
as an independent. Former Chief Minister Ian Tuxworth
was also re-elected as a member of the NT Nationals
.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
on Saturday 7 March 1987. Although the incumbent Country Liberal Party
Country Liberal Party
The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties...
(CLP) won a majority under new leader Stephen Hatton
Stephen Hatton
Stephen Paul Hatton is an Australian politician, who was Chief Minister of the Northern Territory of Australia from 1986 to 1988. From 1983 until his retirement in 2001, he was MLA for the seat of Nightcliff...
, the party's vote was down almost 20 percentage points.
At the 1987 election, the CLP faced a challenge from the Northern Territory Nationals
Northern Territory Nationals
The Northern Territory Nationals were a political party active in the Northern Territory in the late 1980s. The party was not affiliated with the National Party of Australia, whose NT affiliate was Country Liberal Party...
, a rebel conservative party led by former CLP Chief Minister Ian Tuxworth
Ian Tuxworth
Ian Lindsay Tuxworth is an Australian politician, who was Chief Minister of the Northern Territory of Australia from 17 October 1984 until he resigned on 10 May 1986....
that was aligned with then-Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Sir Johannes "Joh" Bjelke-Petersen, KCMG , was an Australian politician. He was the longest-serving and longest-lived Premier of Queensland, holding office from 1968 to 1987, a period that saw considerable economic development in the state...
, but not affiliated with the federal National Party of Australia
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
. The NT Nationals took 17.79% of the primary vote, mostly from the CLP, but finished with only one member in the assembly. Hatton, despite a loss of three seats, retained a working majority.
Labor's vote remained virtually unchanged. As in 1983, its assembly tally was six.
Two former-CLP independents were re-elected in their seats. Noel Padgham-Purich
Noel Padgham-Purich
Cecilia Noel Padgham-Purich is a former Australian politician. She was a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1977 to 1997, representing Tiwi until 1983, Koolpinyah until 1990 and Nelson thereafter. First elected as a member of the Country Liberal Party, she was a minister...
was re-elected to Koolpinyah
Electoral division of Koolpinyah
Koolpinyah was an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It existed from 1983 to 1990.-Members for Koolpinyah:...
, while Denis Collins
Denis Collins (politician)
Denis Wilfred Collins is a former Australian politician. He was a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1980 to 1997, representing Alice Springs until 1983, Sadadeen until 1990 and Greatorex thereafter...
was re-elected to Sadadeen
Electoral division of Sadadeen
Sadadeen was an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It existed from 1983 to 1990 when it was replaced by Greatorex.-Members for Sadadeen:...
as an independent. Former Chief Minister Ian Tuxworth
Ian Tuxworth
Ian Lindsay Tuxworth is an Australian politician, who was Chief Minister of the Northern Territory of Australia from 17 October 1984 until he resigned on 10 May 1986....
was also re-elected as a member of the NT Nationals
Northern Territory Nationals
The Northern Territory Nationals were a political party active in the Northern Territory in the late 1980s. The party was not affiliated with the National Party of Australia, whose NT affiliate was Country Liberal Party...
.