Everingham Ministry

The Everingham Ministry (initially the Everingham Executive) was the ministry of Paul Everingham, the last Majority Leader of the Northern Territory before the granting of self-government, and the first Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. It first took office in 1977 following the defeat of former Majority Leader Goff Letts and much of his executive at the 1977 election, and became a full ministry with self-government in 1978. It lasted until 1984, when Everingham resigned to enter federal politics.

The Everingham Executive was the governing executive of Northern Territory Majority Leader Paul Everingham from his instalment in 1977 until the granting of full self-government. It was the last executive to hold the limited powers granted prior to full self-government in 1978, at which point the Northern Territory had ministries as in other jurisdictions.

It came into existence after the unprecedented events of the 1977 election; while the Country Liberal Party government was easily re-elected, five of its seven executive members, including Majority Leader Dr Goff Letts, lost their seats. This required significant changes to their executive, including the election of Paul Everingham as replacement Majority Leader, the promotion to higher-profile positions of the two other surviving members, Marshall Perron and Ian Tuxworth, and the promotion of two other members, Jim Robertson and Roger Steele to the executive. The executive then governed the Territory under new Majority Leader Everingham from September 1977 until the granting of self-government in June 1978.

When the Territory was formally granted self-government on 1 July 1978, Everingham's executive became a ministry--the first Territory government with full legislative powers.

There were no personnel changes from the previous executive, and very few portfolio changes. However, a number of titles changed - the Majority Leader was now known as the Chief Minister, the Executive Member for Finance was now known as the Treasurer, the Executive Member for Law was now the Attorney-General, and the other executive members were now known as ministers.

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