Terms of Reference - Published Papers - Key Documents - Reports 

On 28 August 1985, the Legislative Assembly, by resolution, established the Select Committee on Constitutional Development.  On 30 November 1989, the Legislative Assembly resolved to amend the Committee's terms of reference, changing its status from a select committee to a sessional committee.  The Sessional Committee was reappointed on 27 June 1994 and ceased to exist at the prorogation of the seventh Assembly on the 12 August 1997.

Terms of Reference

(a) a Constitution for the new State and the principles upon which it should be drawn, including:

• legislative powers;
• executive powers;
• judicial power; and
• the method to be adopted to have a draft new state Constitution approved by or on behalf of the people of the Northern Territory;

(b) the issues, conditions and procedures pertinent to the entry of the Northern Territory into the Federation as a new State; and

(c) such other constitutional and legal matters as may be referred to it by:

• relevant ministers; or
• resolution of the Assembly

(2) to undertake a role in promoting the awareness of constitutional issues to the Northern Territory and Australian populations.

Published Papers

A table of documents published by the Constitutional Development Committees can be found here

Key Documents

First Draft of the Final Draft Constitution Tabling Statement 22 August 1996
The Final Draft Constitution Tabling statement 27 November 1996
Addendum to the Final Draft Northern Territory Constitution
Final Draft for the Northern Territory Constitution
Final Report of the Northern Territory Statehood Working Group

Reports

Foundations for a Common Future: Volume 1 - The Report on Paragraph 1 (a) of the Committee's Terms of Reference on a Final Draft Constitution 
Foundations for a Common Future: Volume 2 - Part A - Published Papers 
Foundations for a Common Future: Volume 2 - Part B - Published Papers
Foundations for a Common Future: Volume 3 - Synopsis of Evidence Received
Foundations for a Common Future: Volume 4 (1) - Written Submissions Received (Nos. 1-70)
Foundations for a Common Future: Volume 4 (2) - Written Submissions Received (Nos. 71-141)
Foundations for a Common Future: Volume 5 - Part A - Hansard Transcripts of Public Hearings
Foundations for a Common Future: Volume 5 - Part B (1) - Hansard Transcripts of Public Hearings 
Foundations for a Common Future: Volume 5 - Part B (2) - Hansard Transcripts of Public Hearings 
Foundations for a Common Future: Volume 6 - Parliamentary Debates, Motions, Tabled Papers and Statements

Discussion Paper on Proposed New State Constitution for the Northern Territory - 2nd Edition - July 1995

Links to individual chapters Volumes 2 Part A and B and Volumes 5 Part A and B can be found here

Annual Reports
Annual Report 1989-90 
Annual Report 1990-91
Annual Report 1991-92
Annual Report 1993-94 
Annual Report 1994-95