First openly gay speaker Chansey Paech replaces Kezia Purick

FORMER Speaker Kezia Purick has been replaced by the Australia’s first openly gay indigenous Speaker of parliament

**Contact the Centralian Advocate before using** Australia's first openly gay, Indigenous parliamentarian, Chansey Paech. Alice Springs September 12 2017. Photo: EMMA MURRAY

THE Northern Territory has elected Australia’s first openly gay indigenous Speaker of parliament.

Namatjira MLA Chanston “Chansey” Paech replaces independent Goyder MLA Kezia Purick, who resigned from the role this morning after a damning ICAC investigation that found she had engaged in corrupt conduct.

Mr Paech was nominated as Speaker by Chief Minister Michael Gunner and the motion agreed to by Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro.

Born and raised in Alice Springs, Mr Paech is of Eastern Arrernte and Gurindji descent on his mother’s side. He is also the youngest MLA of NT’s 13th Assembly, at just 33 years of age.