The federal government retains control of certain legislative areas, including Aboriginal land, industrial relations, national parks and uranium mining.

For inter-governmental financial purposes the Northern Territory has been regarded by the Commonwealth as a State since 1 July 1988.

The party or coalition with the most seats in the Assembly is invited by the Administrator to form government.

The federal government retains control of certain legislative areas, including Aboriginal land, industrial relations, national parks and uranium mining.

The Australian Parliament thus retains the right to legislate for the Territory, if it chooses to exercise it.

This includes the power to override any legislation passed by the Northern Territory Parliament.

The Legislative Assembly consisted of 19 fully elected members, but initially lacked significant powers, until limited self-government was granted in 1978.

[11][12] The 2016 election saw a landslide CLP defeat which brought Labor to power led by Chief Minister Michael Gunner.

The position of Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly was held by CLP-turned-independent MP Kezia Purick from 23 October 2012.

[13] Following an ICAC investigation into allegations Kezia Purick had engaged in corrupt conduct, she resigned, and the role was filled by Chansey Paech on 23 June 2020.