Rio Tinto's exit from remote NT town looms large over by-election

Rio Tinto's impending withdrawal from the Gove Peninsula is looming large over a remote by-election in the Northern Territory.

Production at the mining giant's north-east Arnhem Land bauxite mine will stop in 2029 — a second blow for Nhulunbuy after its alumina refinery shut in 2014.

The town's future without its largest employer is the focus of today's Mulka by-election, triggered by the resignation of 10-year independent MLA Yiŋiya Guyula.

Mr Guyula quit suddenly last month, citing an inability to work with a Country Liberal Party (CLP) government he claimed was "not willing to listen or form partnerships with Aboriginal communities".

Only a Labor and independent candidate are seeking to replace Mr Guyula, with the CLP choosing not to run in a seat the party has not held since 1980.

Mulka is a former safe seat for Labor, until former deputy leader Lynne Walker lost to Mr Guyula by eight votes in 2016.

Yiwarr McGrath, a former NT Young Australian of the Year and trailblazing nurse, was preselected by the party last month and said the region had been forgotten.

"The CLP government has neglected this part of the world — how do we have ongoing sustainability around housing, healthcare," he said.

"I've been listening — I'm going to bring those issues to the table so [the government] is aware of what's going on post-mining.

"I'm from Mulka, I am Yolŋu, I grew up here, I know the issues here — I've been through poverty — I'll bring real experience and embed practicality."

Although it is not running a candidate, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has said the CLP is committed to the future of Nhulunbuy, which is also losing its major supermarket, Woolworths, next year.

At the Garma Festival in July, Mrs Finocchiaro announced the town's lease would be handed to the Rirratjingu clan after Rio Tinto's exit, and also called for greater fuel security in the region. 

Independent candidate Andrew Blamey said he was running in the by-election after coming to the view that politics in the NT was "broken".

"The two-party system is failing us," he said.

"Independent voices in the parliament are very important to get people's views spoken about."

A Territorian for almost 20 years and a Nhulunbuy resident for three, Mr Blamey said while in government, Labor had dropped the ball on the town's transition.

"I think it's important to remember that Rio Tinto announced they were leaving the area in 2019," he said.

"Labor were in power for [eight] years until 2024. 

"I feel we need to move away from the blame game and a lot of voters are saying that to me as well.

"They want real answers and outcomes."

Long-standing issues remain

Just south of Nhulunbuy in Yirrkala, Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation vice-chair Barayuwa Munuŋgurr said overcrowded homes remained a key issue in the region's Aboriginal communities.

"We need more houses, to get the wellness and wellbeing of our people, the same, because I feel that health comes first, with housing," he said.

"We have issues with diabetes, kidney failures, it's due to overcrowding and not enough housing."

Yirrkala resident Charles Yunupiŋu said he was living with his family in a home where he shared one room between five people.

"It is really frustrating for everyone, it's difficult for everyone to sleep," he said.

Mr Yunupiŋu said the region also needed more skills training for young people.

"We need people to jump on work — most people just walk around and do nothing, you know, it's a bit sad too actually," he said.

"We need to help people to build their future for the next generation."