Territory Labor Appoints Australia’s First Indigenous Woman to Lead Major Party After Election Defeat

Territory Labor has appointed the first Aboriginal woman to lead a major party in the nation’s history after a crushing defeat in the recent elections.

Selena Uibo, an Arnhem member and a Nunggubuyu woman, will lead and head an almost entirely Aboriginal caucus.

Territory Labor also named Dheran Young, a Yaegl man and a member of Daly, as the deputy opposition leader. Young first won his seat in the 2021 Daly by-election.

Aboriginal Leadership and Governance Forum – Selena Uibo MLA -M10news

Uibo and Young were unanimously elected by the Labor caucus, resulting in the demotion of former deputy chief minister Chansey Paech just ten days after the party’s electoral defeat.

“I’m very proud … the Territory is one-third Aboriginal population … that make up the width and the breadth of the Territory,” Uibo said. “Being the first is an honour and a privilege, and it’s quite exciting, not without being naive to the huge challenge ahead.”

Politics | Northern Territory government – territory, local and federal politics | M10news

Uibo was first elected to the Northern Territory Parliament in 2016 under the leadership of former chief minister Michael Gunner. She represents the remote electorate of Arnhem, which covers areas north and west of Katherine.

As the former housing minister, Uibo played a crucial role in securing a $4 billion NT Remote Housing partnership with the federal government and has worked across various portfolios, including mining and renewables, over the past four years.

In the wake of the election loss, Territory Labor will thoroughly review its campaign in collaboration with federal Labor. This post-mortem will be crucial for understanding the challenges faced during the election, particularly as the country approaches a likely national polls next year.

Politics | Northern Territory government – territory, local and federal politics | M10news

“We always knew that going for a third term of government would be difficult. It’s not just difficult in Australia. It’s difficult the world over,” Uibo acknowledged.

Traditionally, Labor has maintained strong support in northern Darwin, but in this election, nearly all its seats are from remote and regional parts of the Northern Territory. Uibo hoped the federal government would give the Territory a stronger voice moving forward.

Newly-elected chief minister Lia Finocchiaro is expected to travel to Canberra on Wednesday for her first formal delegation meeting with the federal government.