Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has set March 18 as the date for the Arafura by-election, following a state funeral that will be held on March 1 for the former member who died late last month.

Ms Fyles said the by-election date would provide time for the community to recognise the former member’s contributions and for “the people of the Tiwi Islands to pay their respects and lay this great leader to rest”.

The state funeral will occur in Darwin on March 1 and a second service is scheduled for Melville Island on March 3, Ms Fyles said.

“The by-election will then be held for the seat of Arafura and I’ll be asking for this by-election to be held on March the 18th,” she said.

“In terms of the funeral dates being the first and third of March and then the election on the 18th, it’s to allow for the community to pay their respects, and for grieving – and of course, the grieving will continue into the future.

“Allowing that fortnight or so then allows the electoral commission to get out to those remote communities.

“The Member for Arafura was one of a kind, generous, thoughtful, caring, a true leader and stalwart of the Tiwi Islands. This state funeral will recognise his years of service and devotion to his family.”