History / Origins

Self Government | "The Territory Party" (Dr Alistair Heatley) | Chief Ministers

Formed in 1974, the Country Liberal Party is the smallest political party to have ever governed in Australia. The Country Liberal Party is also the most successful having the longest term in office of present administrations in Australia.

The Country Party emerged in the late 1960's when the then stronghold of Alice Springs successfully presented Sam Calder as a candidate in the 1966 election under that Party's banner.

The fledgling Liberal Party group in the Darwin area gave their complete support to Sam Calder in 1966, 1969 and 1972 knowing full well that a non Labor candidate would require total unity to be successful.

From the "united" front and the creation of a fully elected Legislative Assembly in 1974 emerged the establishment of the Country Liberal Party. This move enabled traditional Liberal support groups to give unqualified backing to the Territory organisation rather than to the Federal Party.

Four months following the Party's formation, the CLP won seventeen of the nineteen seats available in the first Northern Territory Assembly election held on 19 October 1974.

On July 1st 1978 the Northern Territory achieved Self-Government with Paul Everingham becoming the first Chief Minister at the age of 34.

In 1979 the Country Liberal Party established "an association" with both the Liberal Party of Australia and the National Country Party of Australia. Both coalition parties receive Country Liberal Party delegations. The CLP President has full voting rights with the National Party and observer status with the Liberal Party.

CLP members of the Federal Parliament are directed by the CLP where they are to sit. This could be with the National Party, the Liberal Party or on the cross benches.

Indicative of CLP affiliation with both Federal Coalition partners, former Senator Bernie Kilgariff sat with the Liberal Party and the National Party during his time in Canberra.