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Political Change Continues As Clare Martin Departs

Paul Henderson is the new Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, following this morning’s resignation by Clare Martin and her deputy, Syd Stirling.

Martin has been in office since August 2001 and was the first Labor leader to win a Northern Territory election.

Henderson has been Minister for Employment, Education and Training, amongst other portfolios.


Rann Now Longest-Serving Premier

Peter Beattie’s resignation as Queensland Premier will elevate South Australia’s Mike Rann to the position of longest-serving state premier. Rann was elected in March 2002.

Mike Rann, Premier of South AustraliaThe Northern Territory Chief Minister, Clare Martin, will become the longest-serving state or territory head of government, having been elected in August 2001. She just eclipses the ACT’s Jon Stanhope, elected in November 2001.

The retirements of Bob Carr (elected 1995), Steve Bracks (1999) and Beattie (1998) have resulted in the Labor governments which dominate the Australian states and territories moving to a second-generation of leaders.

Western Australian Premier Geoff Gallop (elected February 2001) resigned due to ill-health in January 2006. Tasmanian Premier Jim Bacon (elected September 1998) also resigned due to ill-health in February 2004.

Rann remains the last-elected and only original member of the clutch of Labor Premiers elected between 1995 and 2002.

John Howard remains the longest-serving head of government, having been Prime Minister since March 11, 1996.


COAG Meeting: Chief Ministers’ Press Conference

This is audio of the press conference following the annual Council of Australian Governments meeting.

The press conference was chaired by Prime Minister John Howard. The other participants were the six State Premiers: Steve Bracks (Vic), Morris Iemma (NSW), Peter Beattie (Qld), Alan Carpenter (WA), Mike Rann (SA) and Paul Lennon (Tas). The Territory Chief Ministers were Jon Stanhope (ACT) and Clare Martin (NT). [Read more…]


Northern Territory Labor Ministry Named

This is the ministerial team announced by the new ALP Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Clare Martin.

Martin

  1. Clare Martin – Chief minister, treasurer, minister for arts and museums, young Territorians, women’s policy, senior Territorians, communications, science and advanced technology.
  2. Syd Stirling – Deputy chief minister, leader of government business, minister for education, employment and training, police, fire and emergency services, parks and wildlife, Aboriginal affairs, tourism.
  3. Peter Toyne – Attorney-general, minister for central Australia, primary industry and fisheries, sport and recreation, corporate and information services, regional development.
  4. Paul Henderson – Minister for industries and business, resources development, Asian relations and trade, Territory insurance, AustralAsia Railway, racing, gaming and licensing.
  5. John Ah Kit – Minister for transport and infrastructure development, Territory ports, correctional services and essential services.
  6. Jane Aagaard – Minister for health, family and community services, assisting the chief minister on women’s policy.
  7. Kon Vatskalis – Minister for lands, planning and environment, housing, local government and ethnic affairs.