The Country Liberal Party has not nominated a candidate for the upcoming Mulka by-election which it dismissed Thursday as a “disruption” that will now be a contest between Labor’s candidate Yiwarr McGrath and surprise independent candidate Andrew Blamey.
The CLP has already faced criticism for failing to nominate a candidate, with Labor claiming in Parliament the governing party is not interested in the East Arnhem electorate or remote communities in general, while political observers said it also indicates it did not believe it stood a chance in the by-election to replace outgoing independent MLA Yingiya Guyula, who had served the people of the East Arnhem electorate for 10 years before suddenly resigning last week, criticising the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s laws as dehumanising, oppressive and intended to destroy Indigenous communities.
The NT Electoral Commission confirmed the ballot for the by-election will feature two candidates: independent candidate and East Arnhem Regional Council library program assistant Andrew Blamey; and Labor’s candidate – registered nurse, health researcher and former NT Young Australian of the Year Yiwarr McGrath.
The CLP’s decision to skip the by-election will not help allay concerns the Finocchiaro CLP Government has major problems with Indigenous Territorians, with some suggesting the lack of a candidate for the remote electorate – that includes the town of Nhulunbuy – shows the party and government is not concerned about remote issues.
Labor Opposition Leader Selena Uibo said in Parliament the CLP’s decision not to contest the by-election shows “residents of Nhulunbuy and the broader East Arnhem region you do not care about them”.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro rejected that and said the previous Labor government had left the people of east Arnhem “to rot” by not developing a transition plan for when the Rio Tinto bauxite mine permanently closes, which she said her government is currently working on.
CLP president Nathan Land called the Mulka by-election a “disruption” in a statement issued just before the deadline for nominations closed on Thursday.
He said the CLP was more focused on “taking the fight” to the Federal Labor Government and “planning for the 2028 Territory election” than participating in the Mulka by-election.
“We have seen Labor and their Green mates cost Territory taxpayers for unnecessary by-elections at both the Territory and Darwin Council level this year and won’t be part of this newest disruption,” he said.
“The CLP stands by its record of delivery and engagement with Nhulunbuy and communities across East Arnhem as we do the hard work left undone on the transition post Rio [Tinto mine closure].”
Independent launches campaign
Andrew Blamey launched a Facebook page and website Thursday for his independent campaign. He said he has been in the NT for 20 years, working in the building industry for 15 years before moving to “the human services sector”.
“Sadly, you won’t be getting a flyer in your post box, it’s not my style,” he said on Facebook.
“Instead, I’ll be donning the runners and getting out around the East Arnhem region for a good old-fashioned in person chat.”
Independent candidate for Mulka Andrew Blamey. Pic: Supplied
His website, www.andrewblamey.com, stated that the “Territory’s current system is broken” and that “the dominance of the two major parties in the NT has resulted in a debt that is continuing to grow with little long-term positive change happening”.
Mr Blamey said his website would be updated to provide “more detail on why I feel politics is broken, my ideas on how we can begin to fix it and a few achievable commitments on how I can help us do it if I become Mulka’s MLA”.
Labor meanwhile has pre-selected Yiwarr McGrath, the former 2021 NT Young Australian of the Year, who they disclosed was charged with drink driving “approximately 16 years ago” and had his licence suspended for six months.
The party made the disclosure after facing criticism for not disclosing current Member for Arafura Manuel Brown’s past conviction for killing a woman with his car when he was first pre-selected.
Labor attempted in the statement announcing his pre-selection to compare Mr McGrath to Mr Guyula.
“Yiwarr is ready to take up the fight to the CLP and work to deliver a strong, positive future for the region,” Labor secretary Karlee Dalton said in the statement.
“He will hold the NT and Commonwealth governments accountable for their investments, and make sure East Arnhem Land gets the support it deserves.
Labor candidate for Mulka Yiwarr McGrath Pic: Territory Labor
“Like Yingiya, 35-year-old Yiwarr has demonstrated the capacity to walk in both the Balanda and Yolngu worlds which is key to representing the Mulka electorate and the town of Nhulunbuy. Yiwarr wants to continue the important work of Yingiya on Yolngu-led decision making.”
Mr Guyula defeated former deputy Labor leader Lynne Walker in 2016 to take the then-seat of Nhulunbuy. Mr Guyula increased his margin of victory in 2020 against Ms Walker again.
Labor did not contest the Mulka electorate in 2024, which saw Mr Guyula defeat CLP candidate Allen Fanning, winning the electorate with 75 per cent of the vote.
The electorate was renamed Mulka following redistribution in 2020. It also includes the communities of Galiwinku, Milingimbi, Ramingining, and Yirrkala.
The electorate had 6,933 enrolled voters as of May 1, 2024, according to the NT Electoral Commission, with only 46 per cent turnout at the 2024 general election.
The by-election is scheduled for September 12.
Voting information for residents of Mulka can be found at the NTEC’s website.
How many CLP voters and One Nation voters in Mulka do you think?
Nobodys suprised! The CLP’s election strategy was shocking! They did not have any volunteers in the last election!
If you wanted to meet the then CLP Candidate for Port Darwin, she was campaining from a Airconditioned Cafe in the city!
I wonder how a Northern Suburbs by-election would fare for the CLP with their current line up?
I hope Andrew Blamey wins that seat!