Paul Henderson (politician)

The Honourable Paul Henderson
8th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Elections: 2008, 2012
In office 26 November 2007 – 29 August 2012
Deputy	Delia Lawrie
Preceded by	Clare Martin
Succeeded by	Terry Mills
Administrator	Tom Pauling Sally Thomas
Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Wanguri
In office 31 July 1999 – 25 January 2013
Preceded by	John Bailey
Succeeded by	Nicole Manison
Personal details
Born	15 August 1962 Croix-Chapeau, France
Political party	Labor Party
Spouse(s)	Stacey Henderson
Alma mater	City and Guilds of London Institute
Profession	Machinist
Cabinet	Henderson Ministry

Paul Raymond Henderson (born 15 August 1962)^[1] is a former Australian politician who was Chief Minister of the Northern Territory from 2007 to 2012.

Background and early career

Henderson was born in Croix-Chapeau, France, where his father was serving with the United States military. He was educated in the United Kingdom to A-Levels and studied mechanical engineering through the City and Guilds of London Institute. He worked as an apprentice marine fitter in Southampton before emigrating to Australia in 1982, where he worked as an underground fitter at the zinc mines in Rosebery, Tasmania. He moved to Darwin in the Northern Territory in 1983, working as a marine fitter.^[2] In 1985 he began working for the Northern Territory government as a computer operator, was self-employed as a computer analyst in Britain from 1991 to 1992 and returned to work for the Northern Territory government in 1993.

Political career

Henderson was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in an August 1999 by-election for the Australian Labor Party (ALP), representing the electorate of Wanguri when the previous member, John Bailey, resigned.^[3]

He held the following ministries: Minister for Employment, Education and Training; Minister for Tourism; Minister for Public Employment; and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, until he became Chief Minister of the Northern Territory after the sudden resignation of Clare Martin on 26 November 2007.^[4] He became the first man to lead an ALP Government in the Territory.

The Henderson-led ALP retained government at the 2008 territory election, with 13 of 25 seats, a one-seat majority.

In August 2009, Labor MLA Alison Anderson resigned from the ALP after a disagreement with Henderson's government over housing in remote indigenous areas. The opposition Country Liberal Party moved a motion of no-confidence against Henderson, which was defeated by one vote after Henderson reached an agreement with Independent MLA Gerry Wood to support his government.^[5]

At the 2012 territory election, Henderson was re-elected to his seat but his government was defeated by the opposition Country Liberal Party led by Terry Mills. On 25 January 2013, Henderson resigned as a member of the Legislative Assembly, triggering a by-election in his electorate of Wanguri.^[6]

On 26 June 2013, the Henderson was granted the title "The Honourable" for life by the Governor-General.^[7]

References

1. Paul Henderson profile, Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
2. Paul Henderson – Member for Wanguri, Australian Labor Party.
3. Election 2005 – Wanguri, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 28 June 2005.
4. Henderson confirmed as new NT Chief Minister, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 26 November 2007.
5. NT Labor survives crisis of confidence, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 14 August 2009.
6. Purick, Kezia. "MEDIA RELEASE: Resignation of Member for Wanguri". Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
7. Mr Paul Raymond Henderson granted the title "Honourable" for life, Commonwealth Special Gazette C2013G00975, S No. 75 of 2013.