Paul Henderson

Paul Raymond Henderson (15 August 1962—) is a former Australian politician who was Chief Minister of the Northern Territory from 2007 to 2012. He has been Chancellor of Charles Darwin University since March 2019.

Henderson was born in Croix-Chapeau, France, and educated in the United Kingdom before emigrating to Western Australia in 1982. He moved to the Northern Territory the following year to work as a marine fitter in Darwin. 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.

Henderson was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in August 1999 for the Labor Party, representing the electorate of Wanguri. He was promoted to cabinet in 2001 and held the following ministries: Minister for Employment, Education and Training; Minister for Tourism; Minister for Public Employment; and Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Henderson became Chief Minister of the Northern Territory after the sudden resignation of Clare Martin on 26 November 2007. As Chief Minister, he dealt with a range of issues and challenges and helped guide the Northern Territory on the path to sustainable economic growth. Henderson retired from politics in 2013.

In comments to the ABC, Henderson said that he personally supported euthanasia ("NT pollies angry", 2008); as Chief Minister, Henderson said euthanasia legislation was "not a priority" for his administration (Glenday, 2010) but he was supportive of Tasmania Senator Bob Brown's bill to repeal the 1997 Euthanasia Laws Act. "I absolutely support the right of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly to determine its own legislation." ("PM vows", 2010).

In 2019, he was inducted as the 4th Chancellor of Charles Darwin University. 

(via Wikipedia)

Glenday, J. (2010, September 22). Euthanasia issue not on my agenda: Henderson. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-09-22/euthanasia-issue-not-on-my-agenda-henderson/2270394

NT pollies angry over euthanasia laws. (2008, February 6). The Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/national/nt-pollies-angry-over-euthanasia-laws-20080206-1qin.html

PM vows right-to-die conscience vote. (2010, September 20). SBS News. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/pm-vows-right-to-die-conscience-vote/3p6ni1sqi 

The Honorable Paul Henderson AO. (n.d.). Charles Darwin University. https://www.cdu.edu.au/about-cdu/leadership-structure/chancellor