Selena Uibo elected Northern Territory opposition leader, first Aboriginal NT Labor leader

Selena Uibo is the first Aboriginal woman to lead Territory Labor, elevated to the position following last month’s landslide election defeat.

Territory Labor has announced Selena Uibo as Opposition Leader. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Selena Uibo will be the Northern Territory opposition leader following last month’s landslide election defeat, making her the first Aboriginal woman to lead Territory Labor.

Territory Labor is expected to have five seats in parliament following the August 24 election, with the CLP having 17 and independents holding the remaining three.

There were fewer than 100 votes separating candidates in Barkly, Casuarina and Fannie Bay in the latest publication of counts on the NT Electoral Commission website.

Results will be officially declared at 10am next Monday.

Ms Uibo, who was elected to the NT parliament in 2016 and held several senior portfolios in previous offices, said she would hold the new government to account.

“There’s no doubt that Territorians sent a clear message on election day and the work starts now to hold the new government to account and ensure that they don’t ditch their promises to the community,” the former teacher said.

Member for Daly Dheran Young was elected as deputy leader of the opposition. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“I’ll work constructively with my team and all elected representatives in the parliament to put the interests of Territorians first. We won’t engage in damaging negative politics – we won’t constantly talk the Territory down – just to score cheap political points.”

The 39-year-old has held the ministries of health, education, Aboriginal affairs and attorney-general, and has been received the NT Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Her mother is Nunggubuyu from Numbulwar and Wanindilyakwa from Groote Eylandt, and her father is a second-generation Australian of Estonian and South African origin, born in Sydney.

Member for Daly Dheran Young was elected as deputy leader of the opposition.

Mr Young worked as an ­adviser to former chief minister Michael Gunner, and also to Ms Uibo when she was minister for Aboriginal affairs. He won a by-election in his seat in September 2021 and was Speaker from last February.

Chansey Paech, who held the attorney-general and Indigenous affairs portfolio and deputy chief minister in Eva Lawler’s Labor government, wrote on social media that he did not put up his hand to be opposition leader.

Elections always deliver change. I want the transition to be as smooth as possible for everyone, including my colleagues and for Territory Labor. So I haven't put my hand up to be Opposition Leader. The person nominated by Caucus will of course have my full support. pic.twitter.com/a1j3jQJYX9

— Chansey Paech MLA: Member for Gwoja (@chanseypaechMLA) September 3, 2024

“My political journey has been one of great honour and privilege, I’ve been the Member for Namatjira, the Member for Gwoja, Deputy Speaker, Speaker, Chair of committees and then gone on to become a Minister, the Attorney-General, Leader of Government Business and then Deputy Chief Minister to Eva Lawler,” he wrote.

“I have had enormous opportunities and others should have the same.

“Elections always deliver change.

“Making those changes can be bumpy and I want the transition to be as smooth as possible for everyone, including my colleagues and for Territory Labor. So I haven’t put my hand up to be Opposition Leader.

“The person nominated by Caucus will of course have my full support.”