NT government reveals plans for state funeral for Arafura MP

Territorians will have the opportunity to pay their respects to the former Arafura MP. Find out when the state funeral is scheduled for.

A state funeral for the Arafura MP will be held on March 1 to honour his service in parliament and as a strong Indigenous leader.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said a second service would be held on-country on Melville Island on March 3.

“The by-election will then be held for the seat of Arafura and I’ll be asking for this by-election to be held on March the 18th,” she said.

Ms Fyles said the by-election date would allow the broader Northern Territory community to recognise the former politician’s contribution and allow “the people of the Tiwi Islands to pay their respects and lay this great leader to rest”.

She said further details regarding the state funeral’s location would be made available closer to the date.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said a state funeral would be held for the Arafura MP on March 1. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Ms Fyles said there were “big shoes to fill” for the Arafura seat.

“In terms of the funeral dates being the first and third of March and then the election on the 18th, it’s to allow for the community to pay their respects, and for grieving – and of course, the grieving will continue into the future,” she said.

“Allowing that fortnight or so then allows the electoral commission to get out to those remote communities.

“They have a strong program of visiting our communities, allowing for pre-polling in more central, larger locations, so all of that will be worked through.

“It’s very important that everyone has their opportunity to vote.”

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Originally published as NT government reveals plans for state funeral for Arafura MP