Arabic version: ييŋيا غويولا يستقيل من برلمان الإقليم الشمالي بعد عقد

According to ABC News, Yiŋiya Guyula has resigned from Northern Territory Parliament after a decade representing his electorate. The Yolŋu elder won the former seat of Nhulunbuy in 2016 by eight votes, defeating the incumbent Labor member in a surprise result. The electorate was renamed Mulka before the 2020 NT election.

Mr Guyula, who learned English after the age of 10, trained as an aviation mechanic and later became a commercial pilot before entering politics. In 2018, he addressed the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, calling for justice and recognition of “Yolŋu sovereignty”. As an independent MLA, he advocated for a treaty, recognition of Yolŋu rom, empowerment of elders, Indigenous languages, environmental concerns and changes to perceived disparities in the NT justice system.

In announcing his departure, Mr Guyula said he could no longer sit opposite a government that was unwilling to listen or form partnerships. He said he would continue serving people as a Yolŋu leader and seek genuine partnerships and community-led solutions for homelands. His resignation drew statements of respect from across the political divide. Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation called him a “true friend” and a strong representative of homelands and Yolŋu, while Northern Land Council chair Matthew Ryan described his departure as a huge loss for NT Parliament and Territorians.

A by-election for Mulka has been set for September 12. The large remote electorate includes Galiwin’ku, Milingimbi and Nhulunbuy, where the looming end of the Rio Tinto mine is expected to be a major issue. Acting Opposition Leader Ed Smelt said Labor wanted to support self-determination and the economic transition in Nhulunbuy. The CLP is also expected to argue it can help guide the east Arnhem Land region’s post-mining future.