Political parties

For a political party to be eligible for registration on the Northern Territory register of political parties, the party must:

• have a constitution, and
• be registered under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 or have at least 200 members who are on the electoral roll for an address in the Northern Territory.

Please read the political party handbook (PDF 362KB), which outline responsibilities and requirements for political parties.

Once you are familiar with these requirements you can complete the application to register a political party form (PDF 2MB) and provide to the NT Electoral Commission

The application, accompanied by a fee of $500 and a copy of the party's constitution, must show the name and postal address of the proposed registered officer of the party. The registered officer is the person who can sign nomination forms for the party's endorsed candidates and is the commission's main contact person for the party.

If the party is not registered under the Commonwealth Electoral Act, the application must also be accompanied by the names and postal addresses of at least 200 members of the party.

The list of members is provided ‘in confidence’ to the commission; no details relating to any party member (other than the secretary and registered officer detailed on the application) are part of the public record.

A party applying under the 200 members criterion should allow up to six weeks for processing to be completed.

The NT Electoral Commission must be advised if the there are changes to a political parties name, registered officer, reporting agent or constitution.

To advise the NT Electoral Commission please complete the following form that is relevant to you and provide to the commission:

• Advise of new party constitution (PDF 1.5MB)
• Appointment of party reporting agent (PDF 1.3MB)
• Change registered officer details (PDF 1.5MB)
• Change the name of an NT registered party (PDF 2MB)

The political party’s registered officer must prepare an annual return in an approved form for each financial year.

The annual return will state if the party remains registered.

The registered officer must give the annual return to the NT Electoral Commission including a copy of the party’s current constitution within 16 weeks after the end of the financial year.

To cancel a registration of an NT registered party a registered officer must complete the Application to cancel party registration
or advise of new constitution form and provide it to the NT Electoral Commission.

• Total amounts received and paid during the year and outstanding liabilities at the end of the year.
• Details of persons and organisations who donated or lent the party $1500  or more.
• In-kind gifting of goods, assets and services that were free or below true market value – except volunteer work.

• Reporting is by financial year (July – June)
• Returns are due 16 weeks from the end of the financial year.
• Returns are available for inspection on this website from 1 March following the due date.

NOTE:

• Registered parties must appoint an agent for disclosure matters.
• The onus is on the person disclosing to get it right.
• Multiple payments collectively below $1500 do not need to be detailed, but over $1500 collectively must be detailed.
• Anonymous donations of $1000 and loans of $1500 or more are illegal.
• Disclosure amounts are inclusive of GST.
• A nil return is required if there is no expenditure.

Electoral Act reference: Part 10, Division 5, section 205

People and organisations making donations to political parties may be required to submit a return – more information is available above under 'Donations to parties and candidates'.