Introduction
This guide has Cabinet record information from 1987, including Cabinet decision highlights from that year, a background to the Northern Territory and Australia in 1987, and the Cabinet members.
For a full listing of Cabinet decisions and Executive Council records go to indexes of Cabinet records.
Not all Cabinet decisions are available to view, get the list of Cabinet documents exempted from 30 year release PDF (116.9 KB).
Get the list of Cabinet 1987 redacted exempt documents PDF (122.0 KB).
About 1987 records
An historical overview of the Territory at the time
Steve Hatton is the Chief Minister.
1 January marks the 10th anniversary of the formation of the Northern Territory Public Service, which replaced the former administration from Canberra.
The Northern Territory News begins the year reporting the European Launcher Development Organisation “has concluded that Darwin has unique advantages and is the most suitable Australian mainland site” for a ‘space base’. The newspaper editorial concludes with: “Space. Be in it”.
In February 1987, the all-weather road between Adelaide and Darwin is completed with the sealing of the last section near Marla Bore, 230 km north of Coober Pedy, SA.
On the 7 March, a General Election in the NT returns the CLP to government with Steve Hatton as Chief Minister.
Also in March, the Territory Government responds positively to a Federal Government call for interest in housing a low-level radioactive waste dump. The proposal would see a low level radioactive waste disposal facility built in Central Australia.
The Morling Report tabled in NT parliament on 2 June results in a pardon for Lindy and Michael Chamberlain PDF (4.8 MB).
In October, the Todd Mall in Alice Springs officially opens with a visit from Sir Charles Todd’s great grandson’s James and Mark.
The first transcontinental race by solar-powered cars begins from Darwin on 1 November, with General Motors' Sunraycer the winner.
International actress, Meryl Streep, arrives in Alice Springs to begin filming the movie version of John Bryson’s book about the disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain.
National Scene
Bob Hawke is the Prime Minister.
The year begins with the introduction of the Federal Student assistance scheme, Austudy, on 1 January.
On 23 February 1987, the first mobile phone call in Australia is made.
The West Coast Eagles make their debut in the Victorian Football League on 29 March defeating Richmond.
On 5 April, the infamous Grim Reaper television advertisement promoting awareness of HIV AIDS and safe sex, is broadcast for the first time.
Only 8 weeks after promising no early poll, but unable to resist the opportunity afforded by Coalition disarray, Prime Minister Bob Hawke calls a double dissolution election on 28 May, the trigger being the Senate's rejection of the Government’s Australia Card legislation.
The National Party of Australia's election campaign collapses as Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen is out of the country when the election is called and does not nominate.
Launching a long campaign at the Sydney Opera House, Prime Minister Bob Hawke promises that "no child will be living in poverty by the year 1990" and entices the environmental vote by promising there will be no mining in Kakadu National Park.
In May, the bodies of station workers, James Annetts aged 16, and Simon Amos aged 17, are found in the Great Sandy Desert. The boys had been missing from a Western Australian station where they were employed as caretakers.
After a trial lasting 332 days, 30 members of rival motorcycle gangs are found guilty (nine of murder, 21 of manslaughter) of the "Father’s Day massacre" at Milperra, Sydney.
On 11 July 1987, Prime Minister Bob Hawke's ALP government is re-elected for a third term.
John Howard retains the Liberal leadership, beating Andrew Peacock in the post-election party room spill, however, he is forced to accept his rival as deputy.
On 9 August, seven people are killed and 19 injured when 19-year-old Julian Knight goes on a shooting rampage in Melbourne’s Hoddle Street.
On 3 October, Australia finally acknowledges the contribution of the Vietnam War veterans with a Welcome Home parade held in Sydney, 15 years after the last soldiers and national service men have returned.
The Federal Government announces a Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, following the deaths of 44 Aboriginal people in custody since 1980. The Commission, headed by Justice James Muirhead, begins sitting on 12 November. The final report is tabled in May 1991.
International Scene
In June 1987, while on a visit to Berlin, Germany, U.S. President Ronald Reagan challenges Soviet Premier, Mikhail Gorbachev, to tear down the Berlin Wall.
In the Persian Gulf, the USS Stark is hit by two Iraqi missiles killing 37 sailors. The Iraqi Government at the time stated that the attack was an error, that the Iraqi pilot had thought the Stark was an Iranian tanker, and officially apologized to the United States.
Share prices on the Australian Stock Exchange suffer a record fall, in line with the worldwide ‘Black Monday’ stock market crash. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by nearly 23 per cent in a single day, on October 19, 1987. By the end of the month, global markets had lost between 20-45 per cent of their value.
Minnesota celebrates after they defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 7 to win the 1987 World Series.
Popular Culture
On 9 March, Irish rock band U2 release their studio album, The Joshua Tree.
In April, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) launches its overnight music video show, Rage.
The Simpsons cartoon first appears as a series of shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show.
On 19 July, long-running ABC music program Countdown broadcasts its final episode.
On 31 August, American pop star Michael Jackson releases his hit album, Bad.
In November, American soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful makes its debut on Network Ten at 1:00 pm.
On 29 December, 19-year-old Neighbours star, Kylie Minogue, enters the charts with her first single "I Should Be So Lucky".
The top four grossing movies for the year are Three Men and a Baby, Fatal Attraction, Beverley Hills Cop II, and Good morning Vietnam.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987_in_Australia
NT News publication, various editions from 1987
Centralian Advocate publication, various editions 1987
https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2017/03/30-years-ago-a-look-back-at-1987/520290/
Members of the 1987 Cabinet
First Hatton Ministry (15 May 1986 to 18 March 1987)
Minister | Position |
---|---|
Hon SP Hatton MLA | Chief Minister (appointed 14/5/1986) |
Hon BF Coulter MLA |
Treasurer Minister for Mines and Energy |
Hon NM Dondas MLA |
Minister for Transport and Works Minister for Ports and Fisheries Minister for Lands |
Hon DW Manzie MLA |
Attorney General Minister for Education |
Hon RA Hanrahan MLA |
Minister for Business, Technology and Communications Minister for Tourism |
Hon T Harris MLA |
Minister for Health Minister for Housing |
Hon DF Dale MLA |
Minister for Community Development Minister for Correctional Services Minister for Youth, Sport, Recreation and Ethnic Affairs |
Hon TR McCarthy MLA |
Minister for Primary Production Minister for Conservation |
Second Hatton Ministry (19 March 1987 to 8 May 1987)
Minister | Position |
---|---|
Hon SP Hatton MLA | Chief Minister |
Hon RA Hanrahan MLA |
Deputy Chief Minister Minister for Lands and Housing Minister for Conservation Minister for Tourism |
Hon BF Coulter MLA |
Treasurer Minister for Mines and Energy Minister for Local Government |
Hon MB Perron MLA | Minister for Industries and Development |
Hon DW Manzie MLA |
Attorney-General Minister for Education |
Hon DF Dale MLA | Minister for Health and Community Development |
Hon T Harris MLA | Minister for Labour and Administrative Services (resigned 30/4/1987) |
Hon FA Finch MLA | Minister for Transport and Works |
*Hon T Harris resigned from Ministry 30 April 1987.
*Hon SP Hatton appointed Minister for Labour and Administrative Services 1 May 1987.
Third Hatton Ministry (8 May 1987 to 23 December 1987)
Minister | Position |
---|---|
Hon SP Hatton MLA | Chief Minister |
Hon RA Hanrahan MLA |
Deputy Chief Minister Minister for Lands and Housing Minister for Conservation Minister for Tourism |
Hon BF Coulter MLA |
Treasurer Minister for Mines and Energy Minister for Local Government* |
Hon MB Perron MLA | Minister for Industries and Development |
Hon DW Manzie MLA |
Attorney-General Minister for Education |
Hon DF Dale MLA | Minister for Health and Community Services |
Hon TR McCarthy MLA | Minister for Labour, Administrative Services and Local Government |
Hon FA Finch MLA | Minister for Transport and Works |
*Ministerial Office of Local Government abolished 27 November 1987.
Fourth Hatton Ministry (23 December 1987 to 5 April 1988)
Minister | Position |
---|---|
Hon SP Hatton MLA | Chief Minister |
**Hon RA Hanrahan MLA |
Deputy Chief Minister Minister for Education Minister for Tourism |
Hon BF Coulter MLA |
Treasurer Minister for Mines and Energy |
Hon MB Perron MLA | Minister for Industries and Development |
Hon DW Manzie MLA |
Attorney-General Minister for Lands and Housing Minister for Conservation |
Hon DF Dale MLA | Minister for Health and Community Services |
Hon TR McCarthy MLA | *Minister for Labour and Administrative Services |
Hon FA Finch MLA | Minister for Transport and Works |
*Became Ministerial Office of Labour, Administrative Services and Local Government 15 February 1988.
** Hon RA Hanrahan resigned from Ministry 5 April 1988.
First Hatton Ministry (15 May 1986 to 18 March 1987):
Rear: T [Tom] Harris; TR McCarthy; DF [Don] Dale; RA [Ray] Hanrahan
Front: NM [Nick] Dondas; BF [Barry] Coulter; SP [Steve] Hatton; DW [Daryl] Manzie
Image courtesy of Northern Territory Archives Services, Department of the Chief Minister, NTRS 3813/P1, Item 9
Second Hatton Ministry (19 March 1987 to 8 May 1987):
Rear: MB [Marshall] Perron, T [Tom] Harris, DF [Don] Dale, FA [Fred] Finch,
Front: BF [Barry] Coulter, SP [Steve] Hatton, RA [Ray] Hanrahan, DW [Daryl] Manzie
Image courtesy of Northern Territory Archives Service, Department of the Chief Minister, NTRS 3813/P1, Item 10
Meteorites Legislation
On 30 November 1987, Cabinet approved the introduction of the Meteorites Bill. The Meteorites Act 1987 makes provision for the protection of meteorites and tektites, including the regulation of the sale and export of meteorite samples from the Northern Territory (NT). Meteorites and associated impact structures are of considerable value to science and tourism.
This legislation brings the NT law on meteorites in line with other States and ensures that an important part of our natural heritage is protected, and guarantees that sufficient material is available for continued research into the origin and evolution of our solar system. Penalties were imposed for the wilful damage, destroying, removal or possession of a meteorite.
A ‘meteorite’ means a solid object which has fallen to the Earth’s surface from space without being completely vaporized during its passage through the atmosphere. Meteorites frequently break up in flight with fragments. The fragments are considered to be part of the same meteorite and are named accordingly. They are very rare objects. In 1987, only about 2800 authentic meteorites had been found over the whole planet, of which 11 were found in the NT. The majority are found by members of the public who bring their finds to the attention of the scientific community.
Although the frequency of NT meteorites is low, there are unusual and important meteorites from the NT:
- Arltunga and Tavallah Valley meteorites belong to two rare groups of iron meteorites.
- Huckitta meteorite belongs to the relatively rare polossite type and is the largest known meteorite of this type.
- Henbury and Boxhole hypervelocity impact craters are some of the few with associated meteorites, and Henbury craters are an important tourist attraction.
- Gosse’s Bluff is a spectacular erosional remnant of an ancient meteorite impact and is also a tourist destination.
A checklist of NT meteorites found up until 1987 is included in this Cabinet record. The low frequency of finds in the NT and the relatively undeveloped nature of the NT indicate many more meteorites remain to be found.
Read the Cabinet Decisions:
- Submission No. 4599 and Decision No. 5358 PDF (3.9 MB) of 10 November 1987
- Submission No. 4599 and Decision No. 5402 PDF (94.5 KB) of 30 November 1987
Shared Equity Home Ownership Scheme
In July 1987, Cabinet approved the introduction of a NT Shared Equity Home Ownership Scheme to allow potential home owners to purchase an affordable share in a dwelling of their choice, using private sector finance. The Scheme provided a new way of overcoming the problems of affording home ownership when interest rates were high.
The Scheme allows persons to buy homes with a minimum 10% deposit using finance from a private lender, and still be able to afford repayments. The remaining purchase private of the property – up to 50% of its value in some cases – was made available under this scheme. The purchaser could enjoy all rights of home ownership, and pay a reduced rental for the Government’s equity in the dwelling. The remaining equity in the dwelling can be bought from the Government at the prevailing market value when the owner’s financial situation allows. Title to the dwelling was in the names of the purchaser and the Government on the basis of Tenants in Common. Whilst the Scheme was intended to primarily stimulate activity in the private sector market place, it could also be utilised by Housing Commission tenants to purchase their dwellings.
Read the Cabinet Decision - Submission No. 4473 and Decision No. 5210 PDF (5.7 MB) of 2 July 1987
Kakadu Air Access
Consistent with Government’s policy to provide transport infrastructure to support regional development, Cabinet approved planning for a jet standard aerodrome site north-west of Jabiru.
In 1986, Kakadu was experiencing visitation of 100,000 tourists year-round. This growth in tourism over both the wet and dry seasons, coupled with development of the Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru by the Gagudju Association, constituted the need for an all-weather airstrip.
Consideration was given to either upgrading the existing Jabiru airstrip to an all-weather daylight F27/F50 standard to meet requirements for eight to 10 years, or to construct a jet standard airport. The Submission discusses ownership of the aerodrome and constraints to its development.
Read the Cabinet Decision - Submission No. 4487 and Decision No. 5225 PDF (3.3 MB) of 16 July 1987
Information Paper - Northern Territory Spaceport Feasibility Study
Cabinet considered the feasibility of establishing a space vehicle launching facility in the Northern Territory. As sites closer to the Equator are the most suitable for commercial space launches, top end sites near Darwin, Point Stuart and Nhulunbuy were considered, noting that Darwin has all the general infrastructure requirements of a port, airport and engineering facilities to support an adjacent launching facility.
The feasibility report considered key issues including launch infrastructure requirements, launch types and the key question of range safety. Risks were also considered, including launches that would traverse inhabited areas in the NT, and that expendable launch vehicles jettison large components such as tanks and fairings during their flight. These fall and impact the earth in ‘drop zones’, which generally occur over or near towns. Cabinet concluded that the spaceport would involve unacceptable risks and decided not to proceed with any further work at this time.
Read the Cabinet Decision - Submission No. 4518 and Decision No. 5266 PDF (8.4 MB) of 8 September 1987
Berry Springs Wildlife Park
The Berry Springs Wildlife Park is vested in the Conservation Land Corporation and declared pursuant to section 12 of the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. The Conservation Commission is legally responsible for the care, control and management of the park.
The purpose of this Cabinet Submission was to approve an opening date for the Berry Springs Wildlife Park by December 1988, and to consider options associated with the employment of staff and management of the Park. I 2018, the Park continues to be a major tourist attraction in the Top End.
Read the Cabinet Decision - Submission No. 4525 and Decision No. 5262 PDF (4.3 MB) of 24 August 1987
Constitutional Disadvantages and Statehood
The Northern Territory remains a territory of the Commonwealth and is subject to the plenary legislative powers of the Commonwealth Parliament under section 122 of the Commonwealth Constitution. Self-government was granted to the NT under the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 and Regulations.
In contrast, the States and their heads of government, legislatures and Supreme Courts are recognised in the Commonwealth Constitution, and the relationship between the States and the Queen have been further consolidated by the Australia Act 1986. Implicit in the Constitution is that the Commonwealth cannot impair the States’ vital functions nor discriminate against any of the States.
In 1987, the Northern Territory Cabinet endorsed the principle that a grant of Statehood to the NT must be on terms and conditions that will ensure constitutional equality with the existing States. Cabinet directed a series of Cabinet submissions be prepared dealing with different aspects of the grant of Statehood.
Attached to this Cabinet Submission is a document entitled ‘Towards Statehood’, which includes a Ministerial Statement by the Chief Minister made on 28 August 1986 and a paper entitled ‘Northern Territory Constitutional Disadvantages’, which considers the constitutional disadvantages flowing from the status of the Northern Territory as a self-governing territory, and the advantages of a grant of Statehood. Two main types of disadvantage are: 1) where the status or treatment of the NT is inferior to the States, and 2) where the Commonwealth retains legal capacity to alter current equal treatment with the States, to the disadvantage of the NT. Some of the issues discussed include protection by the Commonwealth against invasion and domestic violence; freedom of religion; free trade between States; Commonwealth acquisition of property on just terms; Aboriginal Land Rights; National Parks; Industrial Law; Courts; Offshore Settlement; and the Australia Act 1986.
Read the Cabinet Decisions - Submission No. 4306 and Decision No. 5030 of 11 February 1987
Kakadu National Park (Stage 2) Submission to World Heritage Committee
Kakadu Stage 2 is 6929 square kilometres. It is larger than the adjacent Kakadu National Park Stage 1 (6144 square kilometres) and is significantly larger than Kakadu Stage 3 (4479 square kilometres).
The purpose of this Cabinet Submission was to approve a strategy with regard to the nomination of Kakadu National Park (Stage 2) for World Heritage Listing by the Commonwealth.
In May 1987, Cabinet approved, amongst other things:
- the Chief Minister writing to the Prime Minister on the matter of the proposed inscription of Kakadu Stage 2 on the World Heritage List,
- to request access to unpublished studies held by the Commonwealth Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service (ANPWS),
- to request a representative of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) to visit the NT to develop an agreed assessment of the conservation features of Kakadu Stage 2,
- directed the Minister for Conservation to prepare a further submission for Cabinet that collated all current knowledge on Kakadu Stage 2 and identifying gaps in knowledge that might need to be addressed by appropriate studies, and
- to seek legal advice with regard to the standing of the Conservation Commission under Article 10.2 of the Convention concerned the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
Read the Cabinet Decision - Submission No. 4414 and Decision No. 5151 of 12 May 1987
Kakadu National Park (Stage 2) - World Heritage Listing
The purpose of this Cabinet Submission was to approve the submission prepared by the Conservation Commission of the NT (CCNT) relating the World Heritage Committee’s consideration of Kakadu Stage 2 for inscription on the World Heritage List.
The Commonwealth of Australia nominated Kakadu Stage 2 for inclusion on the World Heritage List. However the Conservation Commission of the NT disagreed with this nomination, on the basis the procedures for nomination were not complied with, and as Kakadu Stage 2 may not meet the stringent criteria required by the World Heritage Convention Guidelines. The Convention requires that only nominated properties that meet the stringent criteria of the Convention should in fact be listed on the World Heritage List.
World Heritage listing of Kakadu Stage 2 was not necessary, as it already received full protection as a National Park under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975.
Failure of the Commonwealth ANPWS to consult with the NT CCNT appeared to be a breach of procedures agreed between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State and Territory Governments, before a property in Australia is nominated for World Heritage Listing. These procedures were set out in an agreement reached in July 1984 at a meeting of the Australian Council of Nature Conservation Ministers.
CCNT prepared a submission and compiled technical reports. As evidenced by the papers that made up the Technical Report, no sufficient data was available to make a comparative assessment of the nominated property, such as to justify its inclusion on the World Heritage List.
Kakadu Stage 2 was subsequently inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987.
Read the Cabinet Decision - Submission No. 4640 and Decision No. 5399 of 23 November 1987
- Decision No. 5399 (part 1) PDF (8.6 MB)
- Decision No. 5399 (part 2) PDF (13.0 MB)
- Accompanying Report, Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory, Kakadu Stage 2: a preliminary assessment with particular reference to the operational guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Conservation is 217 pages and can be viewed in the Reading Room at the Northern Territory Archives Centre. Please contact reference staff to arrange this.