Leader of the Opposition (Northern Territory)

The Leader of the Opposition of the Northern Territory is an official role usually occupied by the leader of the second largest party in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly. In the event that that party or coalition wins an election, the Leader of the Opposition will most likely become the Chief Minister.^[1]

While the Legislative Assembly was created in 1974, there was no parliamentary opposition for the first three-year term, as every seat was held by the government, with the exception of two that were won by independents.

#	Opposition Leader[2]	Party	Dates in Opposition
1	Jon Isaacs	ALP	21 September 1977 – 1 November 1981
2	Bob Collins	ALP	2 November 1981 – 18 August 1986
3	Terry Smith	ALP	19 August 1986 – 1 November 1990
4	Brian Ede	ALP	2 November 1990 – 9 April 1996
5	Maggie Hickey	ALP	16 April 1996 – 2 February 1999
6	Clare Martin	ALP	3 February 1999 – 26 August 2001
7	Denis Burke	CLP	28 August 2001 – 14 November 2003
8	Terry Mills	CLP	15 November 2003 – 4 February 2005
(7)	Denis Burke	CLP	7 February 2005 – 17 June 2005
9	Jodeen Carney	CLP	29 June 2005 – 28 January 2008
(8)	Terry Mills	CLP	29 January 2008 – 29 August 2012
10	Delia Lawrie	ALP	29 August 2012 – 20 April 2015
11	Michael Gunner	ALP	20 April 2015 – present

References

1. Schools Newsletter, Parliamentary Relations and Education Unit (Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory), June 2010.
2. Office Holders 1st–11th Assemblies, Government of the Northern Territory, 9 February 2009.