Glimpse into Territory’s past: 1991 Cabinet Records released

NT Government

1 January 2022

The Marshall Perron-led Northern Territory Government approved a package of home ownership assistance schemes and banned passengers from riding in the back of trucks and utes, historic Cabinet records from 1991 reveal.

The NT Government of the day also approved the drafting of a public sector employment and management bill, and proposed equal opportunity legislation for the Territory.

The 1991 Cabinet records also include funding approval for a military history and trails program, and approvals to cost-share NT University upgrades with the Commonwealth Government.

Released on the first day of January each year after 30 years, NT Government Cabinet records are made public in line with the Information Act 2002.

Managed by Library and Archives NT, the records disclose decisions made by the then-Country Liberal Government that had been re-elected for a fourth term in October 1990.

The records document milestones in the Northern Territory’s history and provide an interesting glimpse into the operations of an administration that marked 13 years of Self Government in July that year.

During 1991 the current Supreme Court building in Darwin’s State Square, and the Strehlow Research Centre in Alice Springs were officially launched. The first Arafura Sports Festival was held, and the construction of the Kings Canyon Resort offered new options to visitors to Central Australia.

To access the records visit here.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech:

“These records from 1991 are historically significant Territory stories that help us all to understand how our past defines our future.

“We take many of the privileges and facilities we have today for granted and these archives take us back to where it all began.

“It really is a fascinating trip into our past and now everyone can explore the decisions from 30 years ago that have helped to shape the Northern Territory into the dynamic, progressive place it is today.”

Caption: Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech and Assistant Director, Access and Engagement Library & Archives NT Wendy Garden browse 1991 Cabinet records.

/Public Release. View in full here.