The Country Liberal Party has announced Tiwi Island Regional Council deputy mayor Leslie Tungatalum as their candidate for next month’s Arafura by-election, who will be running against Labor’s Manuel Brown.

The Arafura electorate covers the Tiwi Islands, as well as parts of West Arnhem and Kakadu National Park.

Both candidates come from the Tiwi Islands where all previous winners of Arafura have hailed.

Mr Tungatalum is the son of the late Hyacinth Tungatalum, a former CLP Member for Tiwi and the first Indigenous Australian to be elected to a state or Territory parliament. He also holds some senior roles across the electorate.

His positions include chairman of the Bathurst Island Housing Association, NT Aboriginal Investment Corp. board director, and Tiwi Islands Training and Employment Board chair.

Mr Tungatalum said he aims to set a strong example for young people in the electorate.

“I’m passionate about developing long-term growth opportunities for the people of Arafura and other Indigenous Territorians. I know that as part of the CLP team, I can deliver a better future for the people of Arafura,” he said.

“It would be an honour to represent this electorate and follow in my father’s footsteps as a member of the NT parliament representing the CLP.”

His late father, Hyacinth Tungatalum, was the CLP’s member for Tiwi in the early days of the NT Legislative Assembly and was the first Indigenous Australian to be elected to NT Parliament.

Running against Mr Tungatalum is Takaringuwi man Manuel Brown who is Labor’s candidate for the Arafura seat and who the party said has dedicated his life to community service.

Mr Brown has been living in the west Arnhem community of Maningrida for more than seven years. He held various positions on different Aboriginal corporations and the Northern Land Council.

He has worked in community programming, including on issues such as alcohol and other drugs, and youth services including youth diversion.

Mr Brown had worked for the former member of Arafura, as a liaison officer before Mr Costa suddenly died of a heart attack late last year.

Mr Costa’s first name and image are not being used to follow cultural protocol. A state funeral is scheduled to be held in Darwin on March 1, followed by a second service two days after on Tiwi Islands.

“I’ve known the Costa family for over 20 years. I want to make sure the people of Arafura continue to have a strong voice in the government,” Mr Brown said.

“I learned a lot from the former member, especially what it means to be a good strong local member and I intend to continue that work if I am elected.”

Arafura’s electorate has an area of almost 60,000 square kilometres around the Tiwi Islands, west Arnhem Land, and far-flung areas of Jabiru, Maningrida and Nguiu.

Arafura’s by-election will be held on March 18. Early voting opens starting March 6.