The Constitution
Proclamation of Commonwealth Territories
01 January 1911
The Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory are created.
The Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory were created in 1911 – 10 years after Federation. The Yass-Canberra region had been chosen as the site for the national capital so New South Wales surrendered this land to the Commonwealth – the Australian Government – to build the city. The South Australian Government surrendered the administration of the Northern Territory to the Commonwealth because they were having difficulty effectively administering the territory. This had been discussed and planned even before Federation.
Under section 122 of the Australian Constitution, the territories were at first governed by the Commonwealth. The Northern Territory was eventually granted self-government in 1978 and the Australian Capital Territory in 1989.
Territories are not guaranteed representation in the Australian Parliament. The Northern Territory was granted limited representation in the House of Representatives by an Act of Parliament in 1922 and the Australian Capital Territory in 1948. These representatives were initially unable to vote on bills – ideas for new laws – but this restriction was eventually removed. It was not until 1975 that the territories were represented in the Senate.
Crowds gathered at ceremony of transfer of the Northern Territory to the Commonwealth, Darwin, 2 January 1911
National Library of Australia, PIC P827/128
Crowds gathered at ceremony of transfer of the Northern Territory to the Commonwealth, Darwin, 2 January 1911
National Library of Australia, PIC P827/128
Description
This photo was taken by Paul Foelsche in Darwin on 2 January 1911. The photo shows a crowd gathered as the Northern Territory is surrendered to the Australian Government. It would no longer be governed as part of South Australia. The Northern Territory was governed by the Australian Government until it was granted self-government in 1978.