Why doesn't Australia give the Northern Territory Statehood?

Question

Is it because they are mostly aborigines?

Answer 1

I think the NT is happy the way it is.  It's not mostly aboriginal.

The Northern Territory prefers to remain separate.

Answer 2

Northern Territory Government website

From Fact Sheet 3

Who decides we are not a state?

In 1998 Territory voters decided to reject Statehood by a majority of 51.3% on the terms being offered at a Territory wide referendum.

Frequently Asked Questions (NT Statehood)

Why can't we just stay as we are?

Statehood is something Territorians will decide on before any approach is made to the Commonwealth for admission.

Change will only come if Territorians want it to come.

What if Territorians say NO, will the NT Government keep coming back to ask again?

Government policy to ask again would be a matter for the Government of the day.

It is the role of the Statehood Steering Committee to advise the Northern Territory Parliament. If the Statehood Steering Committee, after undertaking education and consultation work, is of the view the majority of Territorians would not support Statehood, the Committee would be unlikely to recommend the holding of a Statehood referendum.

A referendum will be recommended when there is evidence that enough information has been made available for Territorians to make a decision and if there is a general feeling the majority of people in the Territory will support Statehood.

Answer 3

The Australian Federal government gave the Northern Territory a referendum (territorial wide vote) a few years ago giving them the choice of becoming a state.   The Northern Territory voted to stay as a territory.   The Aboriginal population is the highest ratio to non Aborigines there of any State or Territory in Australia.   The Aborigines likely had enough votes to ensure the result they ended up with.