Former Northern Territory Labor Minister Elliot McAdam dies

A former Labor government minister and Barkly MLA who quit his job on principle has died. Read the heartfelt tributes.

Elliot McAdam, the former Barkly MLA best known for resigning from politics over a point of principle, has died.

Born in the town after which he was named in 1951, Mr McAdam died in Adelaide on Monday afternoon after a short illness.

In July he resigned as chair of Barkly-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation service BRADAAG due to his health.

Leading the tributes was Attorney-General and Member for Gwoja Chansey Paech, who said Mr McAdam’s traditional ties to the Barkly region “ran deep and strong”.

“It is with deep sorrow I acknowledge the passing of former NT Labor Government Minister, Barkly Regional Councillor Elliot McAdam,” Mr Paech said.

Elliot McAdam at parliament house after resigning from his Ministry

“Born and raised in Elliott, his traditional ties to the region ran deep and strong. Elliot never stopped fighting for the people of the Barkly. He was a fearless and tenacious leader going in to bat for the whole community when no one else would.

“His contribution to the Barkly will be felt for years to come, and my heartfelt condolences go out to your family and friends during this difficult time. Thank you for everything you did, Elliot, rest in peace.”

His long time friend, Barkly MLA Steve Edgington paid a warm tribute.

“As my friend for around 25 years, Elliot was a man who never let politics get in the way of our friendship nor did it get in the way of his overwhelming passion and commitment to improving the lives of everyone in Tennant Creek and from all parts of the Barkly,” Mr Edgington said.

Tributes are flowing to former Labor Minister, Elliot McAdam. Picture Justin Sanson

“He was a tireless advocate for our community and never afraid to tackle the real issues, whether it was housing, health, local government, alcohol management, better services, infrastructure and programs through the Barkly Regional Deal, and a focus on animal management.

“In recent years, he led the fight against Family and Domestic Violence by heading up the NO MORE campaign across the Barkly and he took on the role as Chair of BRADAAG helping to implement a new model of care to address the issues underlying the harmful use of alcohol and other drugs in the region.

“He was fighting for a new BRADAAG facility which sadly has still not been delivered.

During his period as a councillor with the Barkly Regional Council he took up the fight for ratepayers to resolve rates issues and wanted an Animal Management Plan. Overall he wanted better services, governance and accountability for the people in the Barkly.

“Elliot never missed an opportunity to try and make things better for the people in the Barkly and I will miss our regular chats over a coffee.

Barkly Regional Council also paid tribute.

Elliot McAdam in his beloved Barkly. Picture Justin Sanson

“His contributions have left a lasting impact on our region, and his dedication to service will be remembered with great respect and admiration. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Elliot’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

Former Labor Millner MLA Matt Bonson described Mr McAdam as “a hero” who resigned without fanfare over the issue of local government reform.

“The decision meant he did not collect a parliamentary pension, costing him a great deal financially and on a personal level,” Mr Bonson said. “Elliot McAdam was a hero of mine and a man of principle.

“My best wishes go to his family, who Elliot did proud,” he said.

Mr McAdam was Local Governnment Minister in the Martin-Henderson Labor government, who steered local government reform through the cabinet, including reducing the number of remote community councils from about 60 to about a dozen.

But he quit the cabinet in 2008 when the party, led by then Chief Minister Paul Henderson, squibbed on plans to merge Litchfield, Coomalie and Belyuen shires to form a new Top End council because of resident opposition.

Mr McAdam argued that if it was good enough for Aboriginal community councils to be merged, it was good enough for Top End councils with predominantly non-indigenous populations to be merged, and quit the cabinet.

Writing in the NT News at the time, political commentator Peter Murphy said Mr McAdam was the first poltician in the history of the Westminster system to quit a cabinet post on a point of principle.

Mr McAdam is survived by his wife Barb Shaw.