Editing Northern Territory Legislative Assembly (section)

==Powers==
[[File:Legislative Assembly NT Chamber.jpg|left|thumb|The legislative assembly chamber]]
In 1978, the Northern Territory was granted limited self-government by the ''[https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2004A00089 Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1974]'' (Cth), an act of the [[Parliament of Australia|federal parliament]]. 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.

All questions arising in the Assembly are determined by a majority of votes and the Speaker, or other member presiding, is also entitled to vote. Where there is an equality of votes the Speaker, or other member presiding, shall have a casting vote.

Legislation passed by the Assembly requires assent by the [[Administrator of the Northern Territory]], acting on the advice of the Government, a practice analogous to the [[royal assent]] of an Australian state governor. Under Australian constitutional practice, assent is usually a formality. After the Administrator gives assent, the [[Governor-General of Australia]] also has the power to reject a law on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Australia]] and the federal Cabinet, but this power has also been only rarely exercised. The federal government also retains power to legislate for the Territory in all matters, including the right to override legislation passed by the Assembly.

The party or coalition with the most seats in the Assembly is invited by the Administrator to form government. The leader of that party subsequently becomes the [[Chief Minister of the Northern Territory]], and their senior colleagues become ministers responsible for various portfolios. As Australian political parties traditionally vote along party lines, most legislation introduced by the party commanding a majority will pass through the Legislative Assembly.