Minister for People, Sport and Culture
Media Release New Cabinet Records shine light on defining year in the Territory's history
1 January 2026
Today the Finocchiaro CLP Government released the 1995 Cabinet Records revealing decisions made in the same year Forrest Gump filled cinemas, Silverchair's Frogstomp roared out of Australian radios and Toy Story signalled a new era in film.
In the business world, Amazon launched its public website for online book sales, eBay was founded and Qantas was privatised.
Closer to home, 1995 was a year of decisive leadership and lasting reform in the Northern Territory.
Under CLP Government Chief Minister Marshall Perron, and later Shane Stone, Cabinet confronted complex social, cultural and economic issues, advancing major tourism investment at Nitmiluk and across the wetlands, strengthening Aboriginal partnerships in fisheries and setting new directions for Darwin's botanic gardens, rural industries and multicultural policy.
Minister for People, Sport and Culture Jinson Charls said the 1995 Cabinet Records open a window into one of the Territory's most fascinating and formative years.
"What stands out is the Territory's willingness to think big. These records show a government ready to test new ideas, take risks and make decisions that captured national attention.
One of the most defining moments of 1995 was the passage of the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, introduced by way of a Private Members Bill, which made the NT the first jurisdiction in the world to legalise voluntary euthanasia.
1995 also brought visible change to communities across the Territory.
Leanyer Recreation Park opened in Darwin's northern suburbs, new school infrastructure was delivered with the opening of Woodroffe Primary School in Palmerston and the McArthur River zinc-lead-silver mine near Borroloola was officially opened by Chief Minister Shane Stone alongside Prime Minister Paul Keating.
Tourism and joint management emerged as defining priorities in 1995 as Cabinet endorsed the Gurriluk (Gorge) Tourist Precinct Development Plan at Nitmiluk.
Recognising Nitmiluk as a cornerstone of the Katherine region's economy and one of the Territory's most important tourism destinations, Cabinet placed only one condition on its approval - that park entry fees could not be introduced for ten years.
In the same period, Cabinet approved a new master plan for the Darwin Botanic Gardens, setting a long-term vision for improved visitor experiences, world-standard interpretation and major upgrades to address long-standing flooding issues.
Elsewhere, Cabinet progressed the Exploring the Alice initiative, which introduced new theme trails, interpretive signage and improved visitor information to enhance the Alice Springs visitor experience.
At a regional scale, the Government endorsed Future Directions Statements for rural and fishing industries, focusing on sustainability, diversification, resource management and industry partnerships at a time when the Top End experienced strong harvests and Central Australia faced drought.
1995 also saw the endorsement of the Northern Territory's Principles for a Culturally Diverse Society, recognising cultural and linguistic diversity as one of the Territory's key strengths and reflecting national policy shifts in the mid-1990s.
Cabinet also approved a new Crocodile Farming Industry Strategy aimed at improving skin quality, expanding markets and supporting stronger regulatory oversight.
"Releasing these records keeps our history transparent and alive. They remind us that the Territory has always been driven by bold ideas, open debate and a strong sense of who we want to be," Mr Charls added.
Managed by Library & Archives NT, the annual release of the 30-year-old Cabinet Records invites Territorians to explore the decisions made three decades ago.
