West Arnhem Mayor Matthew Ryan elected as new Northern Land Council chair

One of the most powerful voices in Territory politics has announced its new leader, five months after the passing of Dr Bush-Blanasi.

Northern Land Council Chair Matthew Ryan. Photo: Wayne O’Donoghue.

A remote Territory mayor has been chosen to lead one of Australia’s largest and oldest Aboriginal land councils, five months after the passing of the late Dr Bush-Blanasi.

West Arnhem Regional Council Mayor Matthew Ryan was confirmed as the new Northern Land Council chair on Monday, following the first meeting of the powerful land council organisation since the passing of Dr Bush-Blanasi in November.

Mr Ryan is understood to have been one of four candidates for the chairman’s role in the 126th meeting of the NLC’s Full Council in Katherine.

In his acceptance speech the Maningrida man committed to carrying on his brother’s legacy, and continuing Dr Bush Blanasi’s vision for the organisation.

“I am a man of words, of conversations. I won’t be sitting down, but moving around the regions and my door will be open to all,” Mr Ryan said.

The Maningrida man of Barabarra, Wurrpann, and Gurindiji descent has highlighted the need for the land council to deliver for its estimated 51,000 constituents across the seven NLC regions.

“I look forward to providing the leadership to keep the organisation strong and delivering for Aboriginal people across the NLC footprint,” he said.

Mr Ryan has been a consistent advocate for improvements to education, telecommunications, and health services, particularly when fighting to address chronic and preventable issues like rheumatic heart disease.

He has also been a powerful voice advocating for Indigenous constitutional recognition and greater electoral participation.

Northern Land Council Chair Matthew Ryan. Photo: Wayne O’Donoghue.

In 2021, Mr Ryan alongside Yalu Aboriginal Corporation chair Ross Mandi lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission alleging the Australian Electoral Commission has suppressed votes by indirectly discriminating against people in remote Australian communities through the lack of direct enrolment.

Mr Ryan has also previously served as an Aboriginal Community Police Officer and as a Djelk Community Ranger with Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, and continues to hold positions on the BAC, Homelands School Company, and Aboriginal Housing NT boards.

He was first elected to the NLC in 2004, before being re-elected to the Executive Council in 2022.

Mr Ryan’s term as Chair will run until December 2025.