2015 Country Liberal Party leadership spill

2015 Country Liberal Party leadership spill

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Candidate Adam Giles Willem Westra van Holthe Caucus vote 5 9 Percentage 35.7% 64.3% Seat Braitling Katherine

Leader before election Adam Giles Elected Leader Adam Giles

A leadership spill of the Country Liberal Party in the Northern Territory occurred 2–3 February 2015.^[1]

Minister for Primary Industry and Mines Willem Westra van Holthe announced in a late night press conference on 2 February that the CLP had elected him as its new leader and hence Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, replacing Adam Giles. According to Westra van Holthe, the vote took place by phone, resulting in a 9 to 5 vote in favour of rolling Giles. Attorney-General John Elferink had been named as deputy leader, and hence Deputy Chief Minister.^{[2] [3]}

However, Giles refused to resign, and the Administrator of the Northern Territory, John Hardy, declined to sack Giles. Hardy cited perceived irregularities in the spill process and doubt over whether Westra van Holthe would be able to maintain the confidence of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly. While Westra van Holthe appeared to have the support of the majority of the CLP party room, there was no guarantee he could command a majority on the floor of the Assembly—and with it, enough support to govern.^[4]

Under pressure from the CLP's organisational wing, the CLP party room met on the afternoon of 3 February to break the impasse.^[5] At that meeting, an agreement was reached between the Giles and Westra van Holthe factions whereby Giles would continue as leader, and Westra van Holthe would become his deputy. Westra van Holthe ruled out another leadership challenge against Giles.^[6]