NT Labor could face first parliament sittings of 2023 without a new Arafura MLA

Territory Labor is at risk of heading to the first parliament sittings of the year with one less teammate. Here’s when the Arafura by-election could be called.

Electoral commissioner Iain Loganathan (right) will kick off the Arafura by-election once a writ is issued by the NT Administrator. Picture: Floss Adams.

Territory Labor is at risk of facing its first parliament sittings of the year with one less team player.

The government and the Tiwi Islands community sadly lost the Arafura MLA and father in December after he unexpectedly died aged 52.

The politician, who the NT News has chosen not to name, had been a member of the Legislative Assembly since 2016.

A call to kick off a by-election must come within days in order for Labor to fill the seat ahead of the first sittings in mid-February.

The member for Arafura’s traditional homeland of Pitjarmirra on the Tiwi Islands. Picture: Supplied

The process will start when the NT Administrator issues a writ for a by-election.

A spokeswoman confirmed Chief Minister Natasha Fyles, who has been on leave since January 4, was yet to speak to the Administrator on the issue.

“The writ authorises the Commission to conduct the election in accordance with the Electoral Act 2004,” an NT Electoral Commission spokeswoman said.

“Once the writ is received from the Administrator, the election nomination day must be seven days after the date of the issue of the writ.

“Election day must be 23 days after the date of the issue of the writ.”

NT parliament resumes for the year on February 14. Picture: Jason Walls

The Electoral Commission then undertakes a recheck of all votes during the week after election day.

A candidate may be declared shortly after the election day if they receive a majority of votes.

However if no one gains a majority, it could be up to two weeks after the election day before postal votes and preference distributions are counted.

The new member would hold the seat for the remainder of the current government’s term, which ends in August 2024.

A Territory-wide election will then be held with every seat contested.

Territory Labor’s Brent Potter made a narrow victory of just 148 votes in the by-election’s two party preferred stakes, held in August 2022. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Labor government has already had two by-elections in its current term, with Daly claimed from the CLP in a historic victory and Fannie Bay narrowly retained.

Both by-elections had poor voter turnouts of about 65 per cent.

The NT will also get a new Administrator in the coming weeks.

The Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AO departs the role on January 30 after more than five years of service.

Former chief health officer Dr Hugh Heggie PSM will be sworn into her place.

Parliament resumes for the year over February 14 to 16.

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Originally published as NT Labor could face first parliament sittings of 2023 without a new Arafura MLA