2025 Northern Territory local elections

The 2025 Northern Territory local elections will be held on 23 August 2025 to elect the councils of 17 of the 18 local government areas (LGAs) in the Northern Territory, Australia.[1] Several councils will also hold mayoral elections.[2]

2025 Northern Territory local elections

← 2021 23 August 2025 2029 →

17 of the 18 local government areas in the Northern Territory
Registered139,105
 
IND
Party Independents Greens
Last election 115 seats 2 seats
Current seats 115 2

One LGA, the Groote Archipelago Region, was formed in September 2024 and is scheduled to hold its inaugural election on 16 March 2025.[3][4]

Background

edit

Barkly dismissal and election

edit

On 17 October 2023, all elected members of Barkly Regional Council were suspended by the Northern Territory Government because of concerns around fiscal management and service delivery.[5][6] Following the completion of an investigation into its management, the council was dismissed on 20 June 2024.[7][8]

An election was held on 2 November 2024, with 21 candidates contesting five wards and the mayoralty.[9] Greens councillor Dianne Stokes was re-elected in Patta Ward.[10][11]

Electoral system

edit

Northern Territory local elections use proportional representation with the single transferable vote (STV).[12] Voting is compulsory for any person who is on the Northern Territory electoral roll in an address that is within a council area.[13][14]

Like at territory general elections, the local elections are conducted by the Northern Territory Electoral Commission (NTEC).[15]

Political parties

edit

The Territory Labor Party and Country Liberal Party do not endorse candidates for local elections.[16][17] The NT Greens do endorse in several LGAs and had two candidates elected in 2021.[18][19]

References

edit
  1. ^ "So when is the next federal election? A quick guide". Parliament of Australia. 22 August 2022. Archived from the original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024. Northern Territory local government elections are held on the fourth Saturday in August 4 years after the previous election.
  2. ^ Ashton, Kate (29 August 2021). "Kon Vatskalis and Athina Pascoe-Bell claim re-election wins in NT council polls". ABC News. Archived from the original on 25 December 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  3. ^ "New Local Government Council For Groote Archipelago". Mirage News. 20 May 2024. Archived from the original on 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Elections for the newly constituted Groote Archipelago Regional Council election have been postponed to 15 March 2025". Facebook. Steve Edgington MLA: Member for Barkly. 19 October 2024. Archived from the original on 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  5. ^ "NT government suspends Barkly Regional Council, places it under 'official management'". ABC News. 17 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Barkly Regional Council Investigation". Northern Territory Government. Archived from the original on 30 October 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  7. ^ Houlbrook-Walk, Myles (20 June 2024). "Barkly Regional Council elected members officially dismissed in wake of damning report". ABC News. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Barkly Regional Council members dismissed, new era set to begin". Australian Rural & Regional News. Tennant & District Times. 21 June 2024. Archived from the original on 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  9. ^ Elton, James (5 November 2024). "Low voter turnout in Barkly Regional Council election concerns likely new mayor". ABC News. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  10. ^ Upton, Shauna (1 November 2024). "Barkly region gears up for local council elections". The Wire. Archived from the original on 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Dianne Stokes". NT Greens. Archived from the original on 14 October 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  12. ^ "How are votes counted?". Northern Territory Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 27 October 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  13. ^ "Northern Territory". Electoral Council of Australia and New Zealand. Archived from the original on 14 October 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  14. ^ "Elections". Local Government Association of the Northern Territory. Archived from the original on 16 October 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  15. ^ Perera, Alicia (28 August 2021). "Today is the NT local government election day. Here's everything you need to know to have your say". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  16. ^ "Council elections can be confusing". Facebook. Michael Gunner. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  17. ^ "Gunner demands council deal with Mayor's 'conflict of interest'". Alice Springs News. 28 January 2020. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  18. ^ Wyndham-Kidd, Josh (24 September 2021). "The Territory is hungry for political alternatives". Australian Greens. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  19. ^ Roberts, Lauren (4 September 2023). "Darwin Lyons Ward by-election sees poor voter turnout, results expected in coming weeks". ABC News. Archived from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.