Northern Territory (Administration) Amendment Act 1976

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NORTHERN TERRITORY (ADMINISTRATION) AMENDMENT ACT 1976

No. 66 of 1976

An Act to amend the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1974.

BE IT ENACTED by the Queen, and the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title and citation.

1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Northern Territory (Administration) Amendment Act 1976.

(2) The Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1974 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1976.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by Proclamation.

Interpretation.

3. Section 3 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting in sub-section (1), after the definition of “Central Australia”, the following definitions: —

“‘Council’ means the Executive Council of the Northern Territory of Australia;

‘executive member’ means a person holding an executive office;

‘executive office’ means an office of executive member of the Legislative Assembly;

Heading to Part II.

4. The heading to Part II of the Principal Act is repealed and the following heading substituted: —

“PART II—THE ADMINISTRATOR”.

Heading to Part IV.

5. The heading to Part IV of the Principal Act is repealed and the following heading substituted: —

“PART IV—THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL”.

6. (1) Sections 4za and 4zb of the Principal Act are repealed and the following sections substituted:—

The Executive Council.

“4za. (1) There shall be a Council to be known as the Executive Council of the Northern Territory of Australia.

“(2) The Council shall consist of the persons for the time being holding office as executive members.

“(3) The Administrator is entitled to attend all meetings of the Council, and shall preside at all meetings at which he is present.

“(4) Meetings of the Council shall be convened by the Administrator and not otherwise.

“(5) Subject to the preceding provisions of this section and to any provision made by the regulations, the procedure of the Council shall be as the Council determines.

Function of Council.

“4zb. (1) The function of the Council is to advise the Administrator on matters relating to the administration of the government of the Territory.

“(2) The Administrator may introduce into the Council any matter for discussion in the Council.”.

(2) In—

(a) a law of the Territory; or

(b) an instrument under such a law,

being a law or instrument passed or made before the commencement of this Act, a reference to the Administrator’s Council shall, in relation to anything done or to be done after the commencement of this Act, be read as a reference to the Executive Council of the Northern Territory of Australia.

7. After Part IV of the Principal Act the following Part is inserted:—

“PART IVa—EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

Executive offices.

“4ze. (1) There shall be such number of offices of executive member of the Legislative Assembly, and of such respective designations, as the Administrator from time to time, after consultation with the Minister, determines.

“(2) In respect of each executive office, the Administrator shall from time to time, after consultation with the Minister, determine the matters in respect of which the holder of the office is to perform the functions of an executive member, being—

(a) matters arising under specified laws of the Territory, other than laws of the Commonwealth, as amended from time to time; or

(b) matters to which the functions of a specified Department of the Public Service of the Territory relate.

“(3) A determination under sub-section (2) shall be in writing under the hand of the Administrator and a copy of the determination shall be published in the Government Gazette of the Territory.

Functions of holder of executive office.

“4zf. (1) The functions of an executive member are, in relation to the matters determined in relation to his office under sub-section (2) of section 4ze, and subject to the directions (if any) of the Administrator, to assist in the administration of the government of the Territory and, in particular—

(a) to formulate policies and plans, and proposals for expenditure, in relation to those matters;

(b) to make recommendations to the Council in relation to those matters;

(c) to administer any laws of the Territory specified in relation to that office in a determination in force under that sub-section to the extent that those laws relate to any of those matters; and

(d) where any of those matters are dealt with by a Department of the Public Service of the Territory—to direct the activities of that Department relating to those matters.

“(2) The Administrator shall not give a direction under sub-section (1) to an executive member unless the Council has given him advice, or has had an opportunity to give him advice, in respect of the matters to which the direction relates, but the Administrator is not bound to act in conformity with any such advice.

“(3) In the event of the Administrator acting contrary to, or failing to act in conformity with, any advice given to him by the Council in relation to the giving of a direction under sub-section (1), the Administrator shall cause a statement of the reasons for his so acting or failing to act, as the case may be, to be laid before the Legislative Assembly within 12 sitting days of the Legislative Assembly after the giving of the advice.

Appointment of holder of executive office, &c.

“4zg. The Administrator may appoint a member of the Legislative Assembly to an executive office, and may, at any time, terminate any such appointment.

Tenure of office.

“4zh. The appointment of a person to an executive office takes effect on the day specified in the instrument of appointment and terminates when—

(a) he ceases, by reason of his resignation or by reason of the provisions of section 4ka, to be a member of the Legislative Assembly;

(b) his appointment is terminated by the Administrator;

(c) he resigns his office of executive member by writing under his hand delivered to the Administrator and the resignation is accepted by the Administrator; or

(d) the Legislative Assembly first meets after a general election of the Legislative Assembly that takes place after the appointment takes effect.

Oath or affirmation of office.

“4zi. (1) A person who is appointed to an executive office shall, before entering on the duties of the office, make and subscribe an oath or affirmation in accordance with the form in Schedule 4.

“(2) An oath or affirmation under sub-section (1) shall be made before the Administrator or a person authorized by the Administrator to administer such oaths or affirmations.”.

Additional amendments.

8. The Principal Act is amended as set out in the Schedule to this Act.

_________

SCHEDULE Section 8

ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS

Provision	Amendments
Section 3d(1)...............	Omit “the First Schedule”, substitute “Schedule 1”.
Section 4..................	Omit “the Second Schedule”, substitute “Schedule 2”.
Section 4zc(1)..............	(a) Omit “Administrator’s Council (other than the Administrator)”, substitute “Council”.
	(b) Omit “the Fourth Schedule”, substitute “Schedule 3”.
Section 4zd................	Omit “Administrator’s Council who are members of the Legislative Assembly”, substitute “Council”.
Heading to the Schedules.......	Omit “THE SCHEDULES”.
First Schedule..............	Omit “FIRST SCHEDULE”, substitute “SCHEDULE 1”.
Second Schedule............	Omit “SECOND SCHEDULE”, substitute “SCHEDULE 2”.
Fourth Schedule.............	Omit, substitute the following Schedules:—
	SCHEDULE 3 Section 4zc
	OATH
	I, A.B., do swear that, except as may be required by law, I will not divulge any information (including the contents of any document) of which I have become aware by reason of my membership of the Executive Council of the Northern Territory of Australia: So help me God!
	AFFIRMATION
	I, A.B., do solemnly and sincerely promise and declare that, except as may be required by law, I will not divulge any information (including the contents of any document) of which I have become aware by reason of my membership of the Executive Council of the Northern Territory of Australia.

SCHEDULE—continued

Provision	Amendments
	SCHEDULE 4 Section 4zi
	OATH
	I, A.B., do swear that, except in the course of my duties or as may be required by law, I will not divulge any information (including the contents of any document) of which I have become aware by reason of my holding the office of executive member of the Legislative Assembly: So help me God!
	AFFIRMATION
	I, A.B., do solemnly and sincerely promise and declare that, except in the course of my duties or as may be required by law, I will not divulge any information (including the contents of any document) of which I have become aware by reason of my holding the office of executive member of the Legislative Assembly.

Overview

The Northern Territory (Administration) Amendment Act 1976 is an Act enacted by the Queen, and the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, with the purpose of amending the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1974. The Act was introduced to address specific administrative changes in the governance of the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory (Administration) Amendment Act 1976 introduces a range of amendments, including re-designating the Administrator’s Council as the Executive Council of the Northern Territory of Australia and defining the functions and procedures of this council. It also introduces new provisions for executive members of the Legislative Assembly, including their appointment, functions, and the administration of oaths or affirmations. The purpose of these amendments is to clarify the roles and responsibilities within the Territory's administration and to ensure a structured and accountable governance framework.

Scope and Application

The Northern Territory (Administration) Amendment Act 1976 amends the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1974, which governs the administration of the Northern Territory. The amendment Act introduces changes to the composition and functions of the Executive Council and the roles of executive members within the Territory's government structure. It applies to persons holding executive offices, the Administrator, and the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory. The Act's provisions are applicable within the geographic and jurisdictional boundaries of the Northern Territory. The Act does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions but regulates the appointment, functions, and duties of executive members and the composition and procedural aspects of the Executive Council. The application and detailed procedures of the Council may be further defined by subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Northern Territory (Administration) Amendment Act 1976 makes several amendments to the Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910-1974. It introduces new definitions (section 3), revises the headings of Part II and Part IV (sections 4 and 5), and replaces sections 4za and 4zb with new provisions concerning the Executive Council (section 6). Additionally, it inserts a new Part IVa that outlines the establishment and functions of executive offices (sections 4ze to 4zh). The Act also makes technical amendments to various sections and schedules of the Principal Act (section 8). Under this Act, the Executive Council is established as a body to advise the Administrator on matters relating to the administration of the government of the Territory (section 6). The functions of the Council include formulating policies, making recommendations, and administering laws relevant to the Territory (section 6). The Administrator is responsible for convening meetings, attending them, and presiding when present (section 6). Executive members, who are members of the Legislative Assembly appointed to executive offices, have specific functions such as assisting in the administration of the government, formulating policies, and directing Department activities (sections 4ze and 4zf). The Act mandates that the Administrator determine the number of executive offices and the matters each office will handle (section 4ze). Executive members must take an oath or affirmation of secrecy before assuming their duties (section 4zi). The obligations imposed on the parties governed by this Act include the requirement for the Administrator to consult with the Minister when determining executive offices and their functions (section 4ze). Executive members must adhere to the directions of the Administrator, subject to the advice of the Council (section 4zf). They must also take an oath or affirmation of secrecy (section 4zi). The Administrator has the authority to appoint and terminate executive members (section 4zg). Breaches of the secrecy obligations under this Act may result in civil or criminal consequences. Although the Act does not explicitly state penalties, the obligation to maintain secrecy implies that any unauthorized disclosure could lead to legal repercussions, including potential disciplinary actions or legal proceedings for breaches of confidentiality. The precise nature and extent of penalties would depend on additional legislative provisions or common law principles applicable to similar breaches.

Area of Law: Administrative Law; Constitutional Law; Government & Administrative Law
Instrument: Act
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Commencement Provisions; Repeal & Amendment; Licensing & Registration; Administrative Discretion

Interactions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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