2013 Country Liberal Party leadership spill

2013 Country Liberal Party leadership spill
13 March 2013 2015 →
  Adam Giles Terry Mills
Candidate Adam Giles Terry Mills
Caucus vote 11 5
Percentage 68.75% 31.25%
Seat Braitling Blain
Leader before election

Terry Mills

 Elected Leader

Adam Giles

A leadership spill of the Country Liberal Party (CLP) in the Northern Territory of Australia occurred on 13 March 2013, less than a year after the Terry Mills-led CLP opposition defeated the Paul Henderson-led Labor government at the 2012 election, winning 16 of 25 seats.

Transport Minister Adam Giles officially replaced Mills as Chief Minister of the Northern Territory and leader of the CLP on 14 March 2013 with 11 votes to 5.[1] The events occurred while Mills was on a trade mission in Japan.[2] Giles became the first indigenous head of government of an Australian state or territory.[3][4]

Despite Mills being informed of his ousting whilst in Japan, Giles denied that it was a coup.[5]

Resulting from the 2015 CLP leadership ballot on 2 February, the possibility of a confidence motion being put to the assembly was raised by Willem Westra van Holthe to take over the leadership from Giles, however Giles managed to retain the leadership and continued to govern.[6]

Multiple defections saw the CLP reduced to minority government a few months later.[7][8]

The 2016 election was held on 27 August.[9]

  1. ^ Giles named NT's new leader: SMH 13 March 2013
  2. ^ "Mills dumped as Giles takes top Territory job". ABC News. Australia. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  3. ^ Everingham, Sara (14 March 2013). "Indigenous politician Adam Giles to replace Terry Mills as NT Chief Minister". AM (ABC Radio). Australia. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  4. ^ "Giles denies plot to overthrow Mills". ABC News. Australia. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  5. ^ "NT's new chief minister Adam Giles discusses the "non coup"". 14 March 2013.
  6. ^ "Adam Giles remains NT chief minister". SBS News. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  7. ^ Kezia Purick quits Northern Territory Country Liberals party, Government loses one-seat majority: ABC 20 July 2015
  8. ^ Adam Giles would 'love to go to an early election' after Kezia Purick resigns Country Liberals party: ABC 20 July 2015
  9. ^ Timetable for Future Elections: Antony Green ABC 27 May 2013