Our History.

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.

Our Platform.

THE TERRITORY'S PEOPLE
The Country Liberals are concerned with the quality of life of the Territory’s people. We are committed to creating an environment in which people can enjoy the lifestyle of their choosing and be encouraged to be individually successful.
This includes policy development for:
  • Families and Children
  • Seniors
  • Women
  • Youth
  • People with Disabilities
  • Education
  • Health​

​GOVERNING THE TERRITORY - FOR ALL TERRITORIANS
The Country Liberals believe that in a democratic society government should be resourceful, effective and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people. The Country Liberals believe that government should not be intrusive in people’s lives, that a government that limits regulatory processes is good government and that any decisions taken by government should be taken in the public interest and for the benefit of the majority.
This includes policy development for:
  • Law and Order
  • Individual Freedom
  • Relations with the Federal Government and the States and Territories
  • Local Government
  • Environment

PROSPERITY AND DEVELOPMENT
The Country Liberals believe that prosperity and development of the Territory can best be achieved by a vibrant and progressive private sector that is encouraged and supported by government. We believe that government should not be intrusive but should limit its involvement to providing the necessary stimulus and economic climate for business to progress.
This includes policy development for:
  • Regional and Rural Development
  • Primary Industries
  • Small Business
  • Development

Our Vision.

The Country Liberal Party is proud of the Territory and what it has achieved in the past since Self Government and the future that Territorians will build together. The Country Liberal Party admires those Territorians who have persevered through adversity, who have had the confidence to take the chances with new and innovative ideas, and who have had the vision to make the Territory as great as it is today.

The Northern Territory is Australia’s newest democracy. The people who have created the Territory have come from all corners of the globe. We are people rich, we are ambitious for the future and envisage our future to be one of prosperity where individual effort is encouraged and rewarded, where all Territorians are regarded as equal and protected by law and where the disadvantaged can live with dignity and are encouraged to be full participating members of society.

The Country Liberal Party acknowledges the first Territorians, the Aboriginal people who inhabited the land prior to settlement by peoples from other lands and cultures. The Country Liberal Party embraces the mix of ethnic origins and cultures that make the Northern Territory one of the most culturally diverse areas of Australia. We see that this cultural diversity, our ability to live together in harmony and our unity of purpose are our strongest assets as we move together toward Statehood for the Northern Territory.

As an emerging State of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Country Liberal Party sees our economic prosperity as being one of our greatest assets. We support the private enterprise system as being integral to continued economic growth. The Country Liberal Party acknowledges and applauds the vision of those who have, since Self Government worked with Government to build the Northern Territory into one of Australia’s most successful economies and commits to working with like minded people in the future to further develop and enrich the Territory.

The Territory’s natural wonders are a source of wealth to all. Not only do they provide an economic advantage to Territorians through tourism, they are also unique in their beauty and are an important part in the natural heritage of our nation. The Country Liberal Party supports the environmentally sustainable development of our natural resources in the long and short term, to allow others the opportunity to appreciate them. At the same time the Country Liberal Party makes the commitment to ensure that our natural heritage is protected, so that it remains as a rich resource for the future.

The past of the Territory has been built on strong, vibrant families who have overcome natural disasters, personal hardship, distance, lack of communication, separation and isolation to build the Territory. The Country Liberal Party acknowledges that the family is one of the most important factors in building a strong community.

Our older Territorians have made tremendous contributions in the development of the Territory. Many have participated in the defence of Australia in international conflicts. They have been the trail blazers in the development of our pastoral, fishing, agricultural, transport, mining and tourism infrastructure. The Country Liberal Party is committed to providing them with the highest level of care so that they can continue to be recognised as valued members of the community. Their knowledge of the past can provide our young people with a valuable insight into what has made our Territory what it is today.

Our youth are our future. We think that the foundations have been laid for a future that is bright, with many opportunities for all. We have provided many avenues for our youth to pursue a future through education and employment. We have a vision where our youth can face the Territory’s future with pride and confidence. We support Government initiatives that will encourage our young people to learn from the past and forge a new and even brighter future for everyone.

Review of the 2016 Northern Territory Election.

Following the 2016 Northern Territory Election, the Country Liberal Party commissioned a report by former Federal Director of the Liberal Party, Brian Loughnane AO and former Federal Director of the National Party, Scott Mitchell. The Party accepted and is currently implementing a number of the recommendations from the report. The document is publicly available for download from the link below.

Our Partners.