# Gary Higgins > Australian politician **Wikidata**: [Q5525238](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5525238) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Higgins) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gary-higgins ## Summary Gary Higgins is an Australian politician and former software engineer who served as a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly. A member of the Country Liberal Party, he represented the electoral division of Daly from 2012 to 2020 and held the position of Leader of the Opposition from 2016 to 2020. ## Biography - **Born:** May 26, 1954, in Griffith, Australia - **Nationality:** Australia - **Education:** [Information not provided in source] - **Known for:** Serving as Leader of the Opposition in the Northern Territory and representing the division of Daly. - **Employer(s):** Northern Territory Legislative Assembly; Civil Service - **Field(s):** Politics, Software Engineering, Public Administration ## Contributions Gary Higgins contributed to the governance of the Northern Territory through his service in the Legislative Assembly and his leadership within the Country Liberal Party. His career reflects a transition from technical roles in software development to high-level political office. Higgins was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly on August 25, 2012, representing the division of Daly. He succeeded Rob Knight in this role. During his tenure, which lasted until July 30, 2020, he acted as a key legislative figure for the Country Liberal Party. Following the 2016 election, Higgins ascended to the role of Leader of the Opposition on September 2, 2016. He succeeded Michael Gunner in this leadership capacity and served until February 1, 2020, after which Lia Finocchiaro succeeded him. In addition to his political work, Higgins has a professional background as a programmer and software engineer, contributing to the field of software development and civil service prior to his full-time political career. ## FAQs ### Q: What political party is Gary Higgins affiliated with? A: Gary Higgins is a member of the Country Liberal Party, a major political party in the Northern Territory of Australia. ### Q: When did Gary Higgins serve as the Leader of the Opposition? A: Gary Higgins served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Northern Territory from September 2, 2016, to February 1, 2020. ### Q: What electoral division did Gary Higgins represent? A: He represented the electoral division of Daly in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from August 25, 2012, to July 30, 2020. ## Why They Matter Gary Higgins holds significance in the political landscape of the Northern Territory, particularly for his role during a period of transition for the Country Liberal Party. As the Leader of the Opposition between 2016 and 2020, he was responsible for leading the party’s parliamentary strategy and holding the government accountable following a significant electoral shift in the territory. His tenure marked a specific era of leadership within the CLP, bridging the gap between the administration of Michael Gunner and the subsequent leadership of Lia Finocchiaro. Furthermore, his background as a programmer and software engineer distinguishes him as a politician with technical expertise, a trait relatively less common in legislative bodies. By representing the division of Daly for nearly eight years, he managed local interests and legislative responsibilities, leaving a mark on both his specific constituency and the broader opposition politics of the Northern Territory. ## Notable For - **Leader of the Opposition:** Served as the parliamentary leader of the opposition in the Northern Territory from 2016 to 2020. - **Member for Daly:** Represented the Daly constituency in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for two terms (2012–2020). - **Technical Background:** Notable as a politician with a professional history as a programmer and software engineer. - **Country Liberal Party Leadership:** Held a significant leadership role within the CLP during a critical political period. ## Body ### Early Life and Background Gary John Higgins was born on May 26, 1954, in Griffith, Australia. He holds Australian citizenship. Before entering politics, Higgins established a career in the technology sector, working as a programmer and software engineer. ### Political Career Higgins entered the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly as the member for Daly on August 25, 2012. He won the seat representing the Country Liberal Party, succeeding the incumbent Rob Knight. **Tenure as Member for Daly (2012–2020):** Higgins served as the representative for Daly for nearly eight years. His term in the assembly concluded on July 30, 2020. He was succeeded in this position by Ian Sloan. **Leadership of the Opposition:** Following the 2016 Northern Territory election, Higgins was appointed as the Leader of the Opposition. He assumed this role on September 2, 2016, succeeding Michael Gunner. Higgins led the opposition efforts for the Country Liberal Party until February 1, 2020, when he was succeeded by Lia Finocchiaro. ### Professional Skills In addition to his civil service and political work, Higgins is recognized for his expertise in software engineering, a field he worked in prior to his ascent to parliamentary leadership.