Release of Cabinet Records

The first Cabinet records created under Northern Territory self-government in 1978 were opened for public access on 1 January 2009.

Self-government on 1 July 1978 meant that for the first time the Northern Territory was governed, for the most part, from within its own borders. No longer would government decision making be centred 3000 kilometres away in Canberra. It was a new day in the Territory, with the first Cabinet comprising Chief Minister Paul Everingham, and ministers Marshall Perron, Ian Tuxworth, Jim Robertson and Roger Steele.

The records released include the preparations for self-government with the transfer of powers from the Commonwealth, the planning for the building of the Museum and Art Gallery, proposals for casinos in the Northern Territory, environmental requirements for the Ranger mine and initiatives for health programs in Aboriginal communities.

Cabinet documents are available for viewing at the Northern Territory Archive Service in Darwin.

For more information go to www.nt.gov.au/nreta/ntas

Image:
Swearing in of Executive Council, Government House,
ENGLAND, JOHN ARMSTRONG, NTRS 1637, Photographic copyprints of Darwin during term as Administrator, 1976-1983, Item 28