What roles do the administrator and chief minister have in the Northern Territory government?

Under the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act of 1978, the Northern Territory functions as a self-governing entity with an administrative structure similar to that of Australian states, though with distinct office titles.1

• Administrator: The administrator exercises executive power within the territory. This role is the equivalent of a governor in the Australian states. In the exercise of these executive duties, the administrator is advised by an Executive Council, which is composed of the territory's ministers.1
• Chief Minister: The chief minister serves as the head of the territory's government, holding a position equivalent to that of a premier in the Australian states.1

These roles are central to the territory's governance, which operates through the Legislative Assembly and various territorial departments established following the transfer of most governing powers from the Commonwealth of Australia.1