NT Election 2024: Guide to Arafura, Arnhem, Gwoja, Mulka
With a record number of Indigenous Territorians enrolled to vote in the NT election, here’s how the bush seats are expected to influence the outcome.
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A record number of Indigenous Territorians are enrolled to vote at the NT election, but the generally left-leaning injection in the voter base will have little impact on Saturday’s outcome as bush seats are expected to stick with incumbents, experts say.
The NT electoral commission has registered 87 per cent of Indigenous voters, up from 67 per cent in 2017 following a strong enrolment push leading up to the Voice referendum.
So called “bush seats”, electorates covering large rural and remote areas with a high number of Aboriginal constituents, historically trend towards Labor, but can play a decisive role in an election outcome – it was the CLP’s success in the bush that won them power in 2012.
Bush campaigning is expensive for politicians, forced to cover massive swathes of sparsely populated Territory, and difficult for pollsters to gauge.
In Arafura, Arnhem, Gwoja, Mulka, political analyst Rolf Gerritsen said it was likely constituents would vote for “who they know”.
“People get big margins in the bush if they’re out there all the time,” he said.
“It’s assumed that Aboriginal people vote Labor, and they used to when the CLP was trying to knock off the land rights act, but the CLP is no longer trying to knock off the land rights act.”
Nonetheless, Professor Gerritsen said, the sway of incumbency would favour Labor’s hold on Arafura, Arnhem and Gwoja.
At Arnhem’s 2020 contest, Health Minister Selena Uibo faced strong competition from Ian Mongunu Gumbula – the independent winning 48.6 per cent of votes in the two-candidate-preferred result.
Mr Gumbula is this year running on the CLP ticket, but remains unlikely to pose a real risk to Labor in the seat.
Independent MLA Yingiya Mark Guyula has comfortably consolidated his hold on Mulka since winning against Labor by just eight votes in 2016.
Labor failed to find a candidate to contest the East Arnhem electorate this election – its party presence all but gone from its former stronghold.
The NT News asked each candidate to identify the top three issues facing their electorate, and what they plan to do about them. Here’s what they had to say.
ARAFURA
The division of Arafura is a ‘Top End’ division comprising the Tiwi Islands, West Arnhem and Kakadu National Park, and includes the communities of Gunbalanya, Jabiru, Maningrida, Milikapiti, Minjilang, Pirlangimpi, Warruwi, and Wurrumiyanga.
Manuel Brown (Labor)
I’m focused on building more houses in the bush and keeping on going with the good work we have already started. We’ve built or upgraded almost 4000 homes in the bush since Labor came to government in 2016. The last time the CLP were in government, they built one or maybe two – and that’s right across the Territory.
We need more houses in the bush to tackle overcrowding in our remote communities. Our Labor team has worked with the federal government to sign a $1bn deal to fully fund all Territory public schools. That means schools in Arafura will get the resources they need to give our kids a better education so they can learn more skills.
I’ll always fight for better healthcare for the people of Arafura. I worked hard to deliver the $20m investment for the new Jabiru Health Centre. It provides better health care locally, including renal dialysis services. The Jabiru Health Centre will provide critical health services for nearby communities too.
I’ll continue to fight for better roads across Arafura and I’m proud to be part of a team that has sealed more roads than any other government in the Territory’s history. We know there is more to do but that’s why its so important to vote Labor so we can continue this great work in the bush.
The CLP will put everything at risk because all they know how to do is cut, sack and sell – and that means less health care and housing workers out in our bush communities.
Yanja Thompson (CLP)
Health services for the bush
Health services are at breaking point in the Territory particularly in the bush. As a part of the hardworking CLP team, I want to use my experience on country to fix Labor’s mess. We will ensure there are more bush clinics for treatment for dialysis in the communities which means those who need it don’t have to travel to town. We will also tackle alcohol related harm with better support and rehabilitation for those with chronic addiction.
Roads
The condition of roads here in Arafura have been rundown by Labor. This means we are cut off and there are more accidents on our bad roads. Poor roads and community infrastructure will be addressed by the CLP team. We understand access is vital to be able to get healthcare, services and out to family.
Community government councils
Having worked across communities here in West Arnhem, I know first-hand how important it is for local leadership. Empowering bush communities helps return greater community control back to our Aboriginal people and lets us decide what is best in our community. When Labor took local community councils away and instead made supershires, our self-determination was taken away too. The CLP will work with communities to bring back community government councils, tailoring it to local needs – we’ll get it right.
ARNHEM
The division of Arnhem is located in the northeast of the Northern Territory. It includes Groote Eylandt and parts of the East Arnhem, Roper and Katherine regions, including the Tindal RAAF base. Its major communities include Barunga, Beswick, Bulman, Gapuwiyak, Jilkminggan, Mataranka, Minyerri, and Numbulwar.
Selena Uibo (Labor)
I am delivering for Arnhem residents by building more remote housing to address overcrowding, supporting community controlled health with a focus on prevention, and backing community leaders to support local decision making.
Since being elected in 2016, my Labor team has delivered over 600 new and upgraded homes across the Arnhem electorate, with a further 200 new and improved homes set for residents in the next two years. This means many more new and improved homes where it’s most needed leading to better health, education and lifestyle outcomes for residents.
I am delivering on improving health services through bringing care closer to home, a focus on tackling chronic conditions, and supporting preventive health programs. In the last three years Labor invested over $600,000 in locally led initiatives that support healthy lifestyles. If re-elected I will deliver $500,000 for upgrades for the Minyerri oval and $500,000 upgrades for the Bulman oval. If re-elected I will deliver a men’s shed for Ngukurr community and $500,000 for remote laundries for Numbulwar and Minyerri communities.
I have strengthened regional and remote health services – I delivered a new renal unit in Minyerri and a new digital mammography machine for Millie the mobile breast screening bus so women can have regular check-ups every year. Katherine Hospital has a new CT scanner and rapid cardiac test, while Ngukurr and Numbulwar have new clinics.
Labor is building on our strong record of Local Decision Making with 28 agreements signed to date, including agreements with Bagala Aboriginal Corporation, Jawoyn Association, Numburindi Development, Urapunga Aboriginal Corporation, Werenbun Homeland and Yugal Mangi Development Aboriginal Corporation.
Labor will continue to transition health services to community control. I supported the transition of health services to Miwatj Health in Gapuwiyak. Groote Eylandt has started its own process regarding local decisions with health service led by the Anindilyakwa Land Council.
Ian Mongunu Gumbula (CLP)
Community
As a senior Yolngu man, I understand the importance of community and co-operation to achieve outcomes for all Territorians. While there are significant issues in the Arnhem electorate, by working together with one another and making decisions that are local and considered we can improve the lives of everyone. By being united, not divided, we can deliver results for all constituents.
Houses
Local Aboriginal people have been promised houses time and time again but they are still waiting. Our homes are overcrowded and not maintained properly. We need a government that doesn’t just talk about building houses but actually builds them. We can’t keep waiting for Labor. As part of the CLP team we will make sure money isn’t just spent on pet projects and budget blowouts in Darwin, but spent where it’s needed, on projects that are needed – like houses here in Arnhem.
Roads
Our road network not only connects our communities but we are an important freight route. Being cut off not only impacts our local economy but getting food and services up and down the track impacts the whole Territory. Not enough has been done by Labor to build back our roads after flooding better than before. Roads are continuously cut off every wet season and not built back to withstand the next season. The CLP will invest in our roads and highways to make them more resilient.
GWOJA
The division of Gwoja occupies the western half of the Northern Territory. It extends south from the Victoria River and Gregory National Park, all the way to the border with South Australian and includes the Tanami Desert, Watarrka National Park and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Jarrod Jupurula Williams (CLP)
Local leadership
I’m a proud Warramungu, Walpiri and Kaytetye man and my culture is important to me. Aboriginal people want local leadership and a say over how their community is run. When Labor ripped away community government councils here in Gwoja they took away Aboriginal peoples’ say in running their own community. I’m running as a CLP candidate because the CLP team’s plan to restore community government councils will empower the bush.
People also tell me they’re sick of being ignored by their local member who spends all his time in Darwin. The communities of Lajamanu, Kalkaringi, Dargargu, Yarralin, Timber Creek, Bulla Community, Amanbidji Community and Pigeon Hole are angry at being left without food and water after the floods. If given the opportunity, I want to be a local leader who will stand up for Central Australia and the Victoria River District and be here when people need help.
Fixing our roads
When roads get cut off in Darwin, they’re fixed, but here in the bush they’re left for months and years leaving communities cut off. Over the last eight years under Labor’s neglect we have lost so many innocent lives on our roads, devastating families. We used to have some of the best regional roads in Australia, now we have some of the most dangerous. As part of the CLP team we’ll prioritise access roads in the bush to better connect communities and make our roads safer.
Delivering housing
Despite announcement after announcement on funding, Aboriginal people are still waiting for the houses they need. Overcrowding and houses not being maintained are an issue across Gwoja. As part of the CLP team, I’ll make sure the funding is spent quickly and houses aren’t just announced – they are delivered.
Chansey Paech (Labor)
My focus is delivering for the bush. That means more new houses, better roads and new community infrastructure for the people of Gwoja.
Making sure families in the bush have good quality housing has always been important to me. Safe and secure housing is key to pursuing education, employment and economic opportunities. I have delivered over 200 new homes for communities in Gwoja, with 150 homes to be delivered over the next two years. This number is only going to grow with the federal and NT Labor governments committing $4bn over 10 years to improve remote housing in the NT, including continued support for repairs and maintenance.
Sport plays an important role in our remote communities by bringing community together and improving health and wellbeing. Our government has built better sports infrastructure for remote communities, including the footy oval lights in Hermannsburg and Kalkarindji. If re-elected, our government will continue to deliver better sports infrastructure for the people of Gwoja with upgrades in Mutitjulu, Dagaragu and Papunya.
I am committed to making sure people in the bush have access to infrastructure to help improve health outcomes and quality of life. If re-elected, our government will double the number of remote laundries across the Territory including new laundries in Gwoja communities Hermannsburg, Willowra and Lajamanu.
Territory Labor is working hard to seal more roads right across the Territory and investing in projects that make it easier and safer to travel around the bush.
I will always fight for the bush and the people of Gwoja. More remote houses, better education for our young ones and more community infrastructure – that’s what Territory Labor will deliver for Gwoja if we are re-elected.
MULKA
The division of Mulka is located in the most northeastern corner of the NT in East Arnhem Land. It includes the Gove, Flinders and Napier Peninsulas, as well as Elcho Island and the Wessel Islands. The division includes the town of Nhulunbuy and the communities of Galiwin’ku, Milingimbi, Ramingining, and Yirrkala.
Allen Fanning (CLP)
Attracting and keeping skilled workers in Nhulunbuy
Mulka and the people of Nhulunbuy are tackling the challenges faced by many other communities in the Territory – higher costs of doing business, like transports costs, wages, insurance and rent. Attracting skilled workers is crucial to the region’s future and is why the CLP will promote jobs and opportunities across the Territory, not just in Darwin. Importantly a lack of investment by Labor into accommodation for workers is seeing an over reliance on FIFO workers. This limits the positive impact to the local economy, we want to see more skilled workers putting down roots.
Health
Health services in Mulka, like those in communities across the Territory, are pushed to the brink and we need to do better to provide for our remote areas. We will tackle alcohol related harm with better support and rehabilitation, working with local communities on country to fix Labor’s neglect. More bush clinics for treatment for dialysis on country is a CLP priority so people needing this treatment don’t always have to travel into town. There are also significant works that need to happen at Gove Hospital to maintain this into the future.
Housing and community consultation
There are people who want to live and work in Nhulunbuy but we need housing to encourage them to get established and stay longer term. The inability of Labor to work with stakeholders and deliver what we need to properly develop East Arnhem has seen delays to important projects like needed accommodation. To promote a more sustainable Nhulunbuy we need to come together to fix issues and this must be done in consultation with Aboriginal communities. As one of the traditional owners pointed out to me, for them, this means ‘We want to be kept in the light not in the dark’.
Yingiya Mark Guyula (Independent)
Treaty now
This is the most important issue and will bring significant positive change across the NT. Yolngu people have long called for recognition of our sovereignty through a Treaty process. Our First Nations communities already hold the solutions to the problems we see in crime, health, education and justice and so we need control of decision-making processes to create the space for leaders and knowledgeable elders to work in partnership with all levels of government. Without Treaty we will not see any real change or improvements to these big issues.
Fair and equal resources across the NT
Regional and bush communities do not see our fair share of resources. Only now we are being told that our schools will see increased and fairer funding in 2025. But we also need fairer distribution of resources for our health services and we desperately need infrastructure improvements for roads, housing, homeland airstrips, barge landings, telecommunications and solar power upgrades. The cost of living issues over the past few years have hit our communities hard as freight and fuel prices have increased from their already high levels. This has contributed to painfully high costs for basic needs like airfares, fuel, groceries, white goods and furniture. We need to see a government inquiry on this issue to identify areas where government can relieve pressure for remote communities and spread government spending more fairly across the NT.
Yaka Fracking!
Climate change and increasing temperatures are a huge risk to remote and regional communities. If remote areas become unliveable due to rising water levels or increases in temperature, many First Nations people will become displaced people. Our land is who we are, and it is also our source of food, cultural safety and economic security. We need to have strong environment protections so we can continue to live on our land and share this country with visitors and those who call it home. I call on the major parties to end fracking in the NT. I will continue to fight for stronger environmental protections and a shift towards industries that will not contribute to climate change and destruction of our land and waters.
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