Who makes the NT News’ 120 Most Powerful list? We reveal Numbers 1 and 2

THE Territory's Most Powerful list had everyone talking. Take a look back at who made the Top 120.

The NT News’ 120 Most Powerful list continues ... today we reveal numbers 1 and 2

THIS is it! Our Number 1. Who is the most powerful person in the Northern Territory for 2018?

Once thing’s for sure, our new No. 1 has incredible powers at their fingertips.

Well, it’s been a long — and controversial — countdown so we won’t keep you in suspense any longer.

Just click on each of the pictures in our interactive graphic below to find out more about those who wield enormous power in the Territory right now, and why we’ve placed them where we have.

Our pick for the Most Powerful this year is making his first ever appearance on The List ... and, just like a Beatles’ single, he debuts right at the very top at No. 1.

Kenneth Fleming QC is the Territory’s newly installed ICAC boss and, as so, will wield serious power.

Just before the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption website went live recently, our freshly-minted No. 1 said he expected a “flood” of complaints, rumours and unresolved issues to come streaming into his agency.

As Commissioner, Mr Fleming has wide-reaching powers and also has the mandate to initiate his own investigations against pretty much anyone.

Now that’s real power.

• NUMBERS 120-101: The NT News’ 120 Most Powerful for 2018

• NUMBERS 100-81: The NT News’ 120 Most Powerful for 2018

• NUMBERS 80-61: The NT News’ 120 Most Powerful for 2018

• NUMBERS 60-41: The NT News’ 120 Most Powerful for 2018

• NUMBERS 40-31: The NT News’ 120 Most Powerful for 2018

• NUMBERS 30-21: The NT News’ 120 Most Powerful for 2018

• NUMBERS 20-11: The NT News’ 120 Most Powerful for 2018

• NUMBERS 10-5: The NT News’ 120 Most Powerful for 2018

• NUMBERS 4-3: The NT News’ 120 Most Powerful for 2018

Coming in just behind the NT’s Most Powerful person in the No. 2 spot this year are Samuel Bush-Blanasi and John Christopherson, the chairman and deputy chairman respectively of the Northern Land Council.

The adjective most commonly used in conjunction with the NLC is “powerful”.

It’s not hyperbole — the biggest of the NT’s four land councils is Australia’s most influential Aboriginal organisation.

It’s next to impossible to get anything done in the Top End outside of Darwin without getting the NLC on board first.

Zak Grieve, who is serving life for murder under mandatory sentencing laws, was perhaps our most controversial new entrant on our list this year, coming in at No. 98. On Thursday we learnt the NT Administrator Vicki O’Halloran had wriiten to Grieve’s legal team telling them she had granted the prerogative of mercy, reducing his non-parole period to 12 years (see link below)

• READ: Zak Grieve to be realeased from jail early after NT Administrator steps in

• THE NT News’ 120 MOST POWERFUL: Zak Grieve’s controversial inclusion

What do you think of our picks for Nos. 1 and 2 or, for that matter, the rest of our choices on The List and their rankings?

In theory the NT’s Chief Minister — the leader of our Government — should be at the top of this list every year. But for various reasons none — not one — has ever been named as our No. 1 since we began our list over a decade ago.

That trend continued this year. But there was a twist.

Michael Gunner came in at No. 8, the lowest position a sitting Chief Minister has ever ranked on our Most Powerful list.

Controversial? Maybe.

But we thought long and hard about ranking him where we finally did and we took care to explain our reasoning.

In the end there weren’t too many complaints about our decision. In fact, many commenters told us they didn’t believe Mr Gunner should even be in the Top 10 considering the dire state of our economy at the moment.

We can only wait and see where he ends up on The List next year — that is, if he even makes it, of course.

■ THE LIST: The NT News’ 120 Most Powerful for 2017

But what do you think?

You can let us know by going to ntnews.com.au and joining in the conversation either in the comments below or on our Facebook posts of this story.

The Most Powerful list has always managed to get the Territory talking. And it’s certainly been no different this year.

And we’re sure the 2018 list will be talked about for quite some time yet.

Just remember, if you haven’t been following The List you can go back through all the links above to check out our complete countdown all the way from No. 120 (Mary Fall) to No. 1 (Kenneth Fleming QC).

And just remember, if you don’t you won’t be able to gossip about it with everyone else.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this year’s list as much as we’ve enjoyed bringing it to you.

Until next year ...