2026 Nightcliff by-election
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7 March 2026
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Electoral division of Nightcliff in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly | |||||||||||||
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A by-election for the electoral division of Nightcliff in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly will be held on 7 March 2026, following the resignation of Greens MLA Kat McNamara.[1]
Background
McNamara resigned from the NT Legislative Assembly on 9 February 2026 citing "ongoing health challenges".[2] They were the first Greens MLA in the NT, winning election in 2024 by just 36 votes.
2024 results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor | Natasha Fyles | 1,467 | 32.8 | −20.0 | |
| Country Liberal | Helen Secretary | 1,060 | 23.7 | +5.0 | |
| Greens | Kat McNamara | 981 | 22.0 | +3.2 | |
| Independent | Mililma May | 858 | 19.2 | +19.2 | |
| Independent | George Mamouzellos | 102 | 2.3 | +2.3 | |
| Total formal votes | 4,468 | 97.2 | |||
| Informal votes | 127 | 2.8 | |||
| Turnout | 4,595 | 81.3 | |||
| Two-party-preferred result[a][3] | |||||
| Labor | Natasha Fyles | 2,908 | 65.1 | −9.0 | |
| Country Liberal | Helen Secretary | 1,559 | 34.9 | +9.0 | |
| Two-candidate-preferred result | |||||
| Greens | Kat McNamara | 2,252 | 50.4 | +50.4 | |
| Labor | Natasha Fyles | 2,216 | 49.6 | −24.5 | |
| Greens gain from Labor | Swing | N/A | |||
Candidates
On 11 February 2025, the Greens announced Suki Dorras-Walker as their candidate for the by-election. She formerly contested the seat of Fannie Bay at the 2024 election and is a former teacher.[4] The following day, the Labor Party announced Darwin councillor Ed Smelt as their candidate.[5]
The Country Liberal Party has confirmed Anjan Paudel as their candidate.[6] Phil Scott, who is associated with the Voices of the Top End group and who stood for the Division of Solomon at the 2025 federal election, has also stated that he will run as an independent candidate.[6]
Notes
- ^ Estimated two-party-preferred count by Antony Green.
References
- ^ Walsh, Fia (9 February 2026). "Greens MLA Kat McNamara resigns as member for Nightcliff". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 9 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ Hislop, Jack (9 February 2026). "Greens politician Kat McNamara quits NT parliament 18 months after historic Nightcliff win". ABC News. Archived from the original on 9 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "NT2024 – Analysis of the Northern Territory Election". Antony Green's Election Blog. 17 December 2024. Archived from the original on 9 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "Suki Dorras-Walker confirmed as Greens candidate for Nightcliff by-election". NT Greens. 11 February 2026. Archived from the original on 13 February 2026. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ Hislop, Jack (12 February 2026). "Nightcliff by-election set for March 7, Greens and Labor announce candidates". ABC News. Archived from the original on 13 February 2026. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ a b Hislop, Jack (16 February 2026). "CLP announces Anjan Paudel as Nightcliff by-election candidate, Phil Scott runs as independent". ABC News. Archived from the original on 16 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.