Northern Territory Consolidated Acts

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT - SECT 46

(1) The principal member is elected or appointed for a term of office ending at the conclusion of the next general election.

(2) The deputy principal member is appointed for a term of office ending at the conclusion of the next general election or a lesser term fixed by the council when it makes the appointment.

(3) A casual vacancy occurs in the office of the principal member, or deputy principal member, if the person holding the relevant office:

(a) ceases for any reason to be a member of the council; or

(b) resigns from the relevant office by giving written notice of resignation to the CEO.

(4) The council may make any appointment necessary to fill:

(a) a casual vacancy in the office of the principal member; or

(b) if a deputy principal member has been appointed for a term ending before the conclusion of the next general election - a vacancy occurring at the end of the deputy's term.

(5) However:

(a) if a by-election is to be held to replace an elected principal member, the casual vacancy will be filled by the successor elected at the by-election; and

(b) if a person is co-opted to fill a casual vacancy in the office of an elected principal member:

(i) the co-opted member is not (unless appointed by the council to be its principal member) to be the council's principal member; and

(ii) the council may appoint any of its existing members to be its principal member for the remainder of the council's term; and

(c) if the council does not fill a casual vacancy in the office of an elected principal member, it may appoint any of its existing members to be its principal member for the remainder of its term.