General elections were held in the Territory of Papua and New Guinea on 18 March 1961.
[1] Indigenous members were elected for the first time, although on an indirect basis.
[1] In September 1960 the Australian government announced that the Legislative Council would be expanded.
[2] The indirect elections for the indigenous members saw 220 representatives nominated by 39 Native Local Government Council and 144 representatives nominated by 33 special electoral groups, covering areas where no Native Local Government Council existed.
[3] The 364 representatives subsequently elected the six indigenous members of the Legislative Council.