Transport Minister Adam Giles officially replaced Mills as Chief Minister of the Northern Territory and leader of the CLP on 14 March 2013 with 11 votes to 5.[1] The events occurred while Mills was on a trade mission in Japan.[2] Giles became the first indigenous head of government of an Australian state or territory.[3][4]
Despite Mills being informed of his ousting whilst in Japan, Giles denied that it was a coup.[5]