Kat McNamara becomes Greens’ first NT MLA after winning Nightcliff

Kat McNamara has made election history, delivering the Greens their first ever NT seat in after an epic showdown in Nightcliff. Why McNamara says the CLP have been ‘put on notice’.

Kat McNamara is the new Member for Nightcliff, delivering the Greens their first ever NT seat. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Kat McNamara is set to become the new member for Nightcliff, delivering the Greens its first ever Northern Territory seat.

After almost two weeks of vote counting, the NT Electoral Commission on Thursday afternoon revealed McNamara, who prefers to go by they/them pronouns, had edged former Chief Minister Natasha Fyles from her seat, ending the Labor MLA’s 12 year reign in the leafy northern suburb.

In a statement, McNamara declared victory.

“It will be a privilege to represent the community in Nightcliff as their first ever Greens MP,” McNamara said.

“People across the Territory were sick of seeing their elected members put big corporations before the community – the people of Nightcliff have put their trust in someone who can’t be bought, to fight for them in parliament.

“I’m ready to get started.”

Kat McNamara speaks to media outside Parliament House. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

McNamara said the Country Liberal Party had been put “on notice”.

“In the NT we are already feeling the impacts of the climate crisis – the people of Nightcliff have voted for an end to new gas projects, and a positive future for our climate, and our economy” McNamara said.

“Our community has put the CLP on notice – thousands of people have voted to address the disparities in our society that drive crime, instead of building more prisons.

“This is what we need to do to make us all safer.”

Opposition leader Selena Uibo said “a clear message” had been issued to Labor and paid tribute to Ms Fyles for her work in the electorate.

“I want to acknowledge and thank Natasha Fyles for the work she has done as the Member for Nightcliff for the past 12 years and the work she has achieved with her time in politics for the Territory Labor party and right across the NT.”

Sib Hare Breidahl, Kat McNamara, Suki Dorras-Walker and Maud Mussared as Kat McNamara has declared victory in Nightcliff and is now turning their attention to Parliament. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

On the steps of Parliament House on Friday morning, McNamara told media the victory was the “tip of the iceberg” of a greater movement.

“I’ve got hundreds of incredible volunteers behind us in this movement, our membership has quadrupled in the last 18 months and this is a win for us but also the broader progressive movement,” McNamara said.

“The people of Nightcliff have voted (for me) because they do not want to see fracking, they are concerned about the impacts to our climate, to the longevity and health of the Northern Territory, our air and water.”

McNamara said Territorians had voted for “evidence-based” solutions in tackling crime and were “fed up” with vested interests being put before the community.

“I am incredibly humbled and privileged and excited that the people of Nightcliff have chosen me to represent them, I take this very seriously and I will hold them and their voices with me in every action that I do,” she said.

Ms Fyles was contacted for comment.