Prior to 1947, there had been several attempts by sections of the Northern Territory population to introduce a self-governing body for the region.

[2] The Territory was split into five electorates: Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Batchelor and Stuart (see Table for further information).

Legislative Council members continued to oppose the federal government's reluctance to grant them more power.

[3] In 1962, indigenous people first gained the franchise to vote in Territory elections, although none sat on Council throughout its existence.

[1] The first Indigenous candidate to stand for the Legislative Council was George Winunduj, who stood unsuccessfully for the Arnhem constituency in 1968.