‘New Hope for Remote Communities’: Trailblazing Nurse and Former NT Young Australian of the Year Yiwarr McGrath Announced as Labor’s Candidate for Mulka By-Election
- Yiwarr McGrath, a Yolŋu registered nurse and former NT Young Australian of the Year, has been preselected by Territory Labor to run in the Mulka by-election.
- McGrath will contest the East Arnhem Land seat, vacated by independent Yiŋiya Guyula, who quit last week after 10 years in parliament.
- The by-election, set for September 12, could see Labor gain a crucial seat and strengthen its minority in the NT parliament.
- McGrath’s campaign will focus on improving healthcare access for remote communities, a issue close to his heart as a nurse working for Miwatj Health Aboriginal Organisation.
Yiwarr McGrath, a trailblazing Yolŋu nurse and former NT Young Australian of the Year, has been announced as Labor’s candidate for the upcoming Mulka by-election in East Arnhem Land.
The 2021 NT Young Australian of the Year was preselected by Territory Labor last night to contest the seat vacated by independent Yiŋiya Guyula, who resigned last week after 10 years in parliament.
McGrath’s nomination is seen as a significant boost for Labor’s chances in the by-election, set for September 12.
McGrath, who grew up in the remote north-east Arnhem Land community of Galiwin’ku on Elcho Island, has a strong connection to the region and has worked tirelessly to improve healthcare access for Yolŋu people.
As a nurse working for Miwatj Health Aboriginal Organisation, McGrath has been recognized for his exceptional contribution to patient care, winning the NT Health Excellence in Early Career Award in 2025.
McGrath’s campaign will focus on improving healthcare access for remote communities, a issue close to his heart. “Nhulunbuy and the remote communities and homelands deserve the same dignity of access to healthcare as any other Territorian,” he said in a statement.
“It’s a short campaign, but I’m ready to get out there and fight to become part of the Labor opposition and hold the divisive CLP government to account.”
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of independent Yiŋiya Guyula, who quit last week citing an inability to work with the current Country Liberal Party (CLP) government.
Guyula’s departure has given Labor a chance to regain a seat it has not held since 2016, when the CLP won the election.
A win in the seat of Mulka would take Labor’s minority in NT parliament from five to six, after it also picked up the seat of Nightcliff from the Greens in a by-election earlier this year.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The Mulka by-election has significant implications for the Northern Territory’s political landscape. A Labor win could strengthen the party’s minority in parliament and give it a crucial advantage in the lead-up to the next general election.
The by-election also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by remote communities in accessing healthcare and other essential services.
Security analysts say that the by-election outcome could have national security implications, particularly in relation to the NT’s border security and the impact of the Rio Tinto mine’s looming exit on the local economy.
“The NT’s remote communities are vulnerable to external influences, and the by-election outcome could have significant implications for the region’s stability,” said one analyst.
Law enforcement insiders warn that the by-election could also have implications for policing in the region. “The NT Police Force is already stretched thin, and a change in government could lead to a shift in policing priorities,” said one insider.
Industry observers believe that the by-election outcome could have significant economic implications for the region, particularly in relation to the mining industry.
“The Rio Tinto mine’s exit will have a significant impact on the local economy, and the by-election outcome could determine the direction of the region’s economic development,” said one observer.
As the campaign heats up, McGrath’s disclosure of a 16-year-old drink driving charge has raised questions about his suitability for the role.
However, Labor has defended McGrath’s nomination, saying that he had disclosed the charge during the preselection process and had shown a strong commitment to his community.
The Country Liberal Party (CLP) has not yet announced its candidate for the by-election, but has indicated that it will field a contender. The CLP has not won the seat since the 1970s, and a loss could further weaken its position in the NT parliament.
As the people of Mulka prepare to go to the polls, one thing is clear: the outcome of this by-election will have significant implications for the Northern Territory and its people.
