2026 Mulka by-election
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12 September 2026
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Electoral division of Mulka in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly | |||||||||||||
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| Registered | 6,930 | ||||||||||||
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A by-election for the electoral division of Mulka in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly will be held on 12 September 2026, following the resignation of Independent MLA Yingiya Mark Guyula.
Background
Former member
Guyula resigned from the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly on 19 August 2026, citing his inability to "sit opposite a government who are not willing to listen or form partnerships" and in particular, the government's introduction of "too many laws that are dehumanising, oppressing and destroying our communities and our people".[1] Additionally, he highlighted some personal "health concerns" and a desire to "make space for someone ... with new energy".[2] He had served as the MLA for Mulka and its precursor Nhulunbuy since 2016.[2]
Key dates
- Issue of writ — 20 August 2026
- Nominations open — 20 August 2026
- Electoral roll closes — 21 August 2026; 5 pm
- Nominations close — 27 August 2026; 12 pm
- Declaration of nominations and ballot draw — 27 August 2026
- Postal vote mail-out commences — 31 August 2026
- Early voting begins — 31 August 2026
- Mobile voting begins — 31 August 2026
- Overseas postal voting despatch closes — 8 September 2026; 5 pm
- All postal voting despatch closes — 10 September 2026; 5 pm
- Early voting closes — 11 September 2026; 6 pm
- Election day — 12 September 2026
- Election day voting closes — 12 September 2026; 6 pm
- Mobile voting closes — 12 September 2026; 6 pm
- Count begins — 12 September 2026; 6 pm
- Recheck of counts — 14 September 2026; 9 am
- Verification of declaration votes — 14 September 2026; 9 am
- Postal votes count begins — 14 September 2026; 9 am
- Postal vote deadline — 25 September 2026; 12 pm
- Final distribution of preferences — 25 September 2026; 12 pm
- Results declared — 28 September 2026; 10 am
- Return of writ — 21 October 2026
- Last day to dispute validity of election — 9 November 2026[3]
Previous results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | Yingiya Mark Guyula | 2,299 | 75.2 | +20.1 | |
| Country Liberal | Allen Fanning | 758 | 24.8 | +24.8 | |
| Total formal votes | 3,057 | 97.1 | −0.6 | ||
| Informal votes | 90 | 2.9 | +0.6 | ||
| Turnout | 3,147 | 46.0 | |||
| Independent hold | Swing | +20.1 | |||
Candidates
Candidates are listed in ballot order.[4]
| Party | Candidate | Background | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | Andrew Blamey | Library program assistant & former construction worker | |
| Labor | Yiwarr McGrath | Registered nurse & health researcher | |
Labor
Territory Labor preselected 2021 Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year Yiwarr McGrath on 25 August. McGrath is a Yolŋu registered nurse and lives in Elcho Island.[5]
Independent
Independent candidate Andrew Blamey launched his campaign on 27 August. He lives in Nhulunbuy and works in the "human services sector" across "homeslessness, youth justice" and most recently has been working as a library program assistant for East Arnhem Regional Council, having formally worked in the construction industry. [6][7]
Country Liberal Party
The Country Liberal Party chose not to run a candidate, calling the by election a "disruption" and stating that they were "more focused on taking the fight" to the federal Labor government and "planning for the 2028 Territory election". [7]
References
- ↑ Cross, Jarred (19 August 2026). "'Becoming a slow genocide': Yiŋiya Guyula resigns from NT Parliament, slams CLP Government". National Indigenous Times. Archived from the original on 25 August 2026. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
- 1 2 Atta, Grace; Stevenson, Kylie; Bardon, Jane (19 August 2026). "NT politician Yiŋiya Guyula resigns, labelling CLP government 'dehumanising, oppressing'". ABC News. Archived from the original on 18 August 2026. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
- ↑ "Timetable". Northern Territory Electoral Commission. 2026 Division of Mulka by-election. Archived from the original on 23 August 2026. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
- ↑ "Mulka By-election 2026". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ Garrick, Matt and Hislop, Jack (25 August 2026). "Yiwarr McGrath preselected for Territory Labor to contest Mulka by-election". ABC News. Archived from the original on 25 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ Blamey, Andrew. "Home". Andrew Blamey - Independent for Mulka. Archived from the original on 29 August 2026. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
- 1 2 Walsh, Christopher (27 August 2026). "CLP skips Mulka by-election, Labor puts up registered nurse to run against surprise independent". NT Independent. Retrieved 29 August 2026.