Biography for McCARTHY, the Hon. Malarndirri Barbara AnneSenator for Northern Territory
Australian Labor Party
Parliamentary Service
Territory: Elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Arnhem in 2005. Re-elected in 2008. Defeated at general elections in 2012.
Federal: Elected to the Senate for the Northern Territory 2016. Re-elected 2019 and 2022.
Parliamentary Positions
Temporary Chair of Committees from 18.10.2017 to 22.7.2019.
Ministerial Appointments
Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health from 1.6.2022.
Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians from 1.6.2022.
Committee Service
Joint Select: Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (2018) served from 26.3.2018 to 29.11.2018
Joint Standing: National Disability Insurance Scheme served from 12.9.2016 to 11.10.2016; National Capital and External Territories served from 12.9.2016 to 1.7.2019; Northern Australia served from 12.9.2016 to 1.7.2019; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 20.3.2017 to 9.5.2017; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 14.8.2017 to 11.4.2022; National Capital and External Territories served from 28.7.2022 to present
Joint Statutory: Law Enforcement served from 15.9.2016 to 1.12.2016
Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Finance and Public Administration: References served as Substitute member from 30.8.2016 to 14.12.2017; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served from 1.9.2016 to 1.7.2019; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: References served from 1.9.2016 to 1.7.2019; Community Affairs: Legislation served from 2.7.2019 to 16.3.2021; Community Affairs: References served from 2.7.2019 to 16.3.2021; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served from 16.3.2021 to 1.6.2022; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: References served from 16.3.2021 to 1.6.2022; Environment and Communications: References served as Substitute member from 24.6.2021 to 1.6.2022
Senate Select: Stillbirth Research and Education served from 28.3.2018 to 5.4.2018; Stillbirth Research and Education served as Chair from 6.4.2018 to 4.12.2018; Effectiveness of the Australian Government's Northern Australia Agenda served from 22.7.2019 to 28.4.2021; Aboriginal Flag served from 3.9.2020 to 3.9.2020; Aboriginal Flag served as Chair from 4.9.2020 to 13.10.2020
Parliamentary Party Positions
Opposition Deputy Whip in the Senate from 2.7.2019.
Personal
Born: 1970, Katherine, Australia
Gender: Female
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander: Yes
Qualifications and Occupations before entering Federal Parliament
Journalist for ABC News and Current Affairs from 1989 to 2005.
Presenter for SBS/NITV News from 2012 to 2016.
Freelance journalist for Malarndirri Media, 2016.
State/Territory Government Service
Elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Arnhem in 2005. Re-elected in 2008. Defeated at general elections in 2012.
Minister Assisting the Chief Minister on Multicultural Affairs from 18.8.2008 to 8.2.2009.
Minister for Children and Families from 18.8.2008 to 3.12.2009.
Minister for Child Protection from 18.8.2008 to 3.12.2009.
Minister for Statehood from 18.8.2008 to 28.8.2012.
Minister for Senior Territorians and Young Territorians from 18.8.2008 to 5.8.2009.
Minister for Women's Policy from 18.8.2008 to 28.8.2012.
Minister Assisting the Chief Minister on Education from 9.2.2009 to 5.8.2009.
Minister for Indigenous Policy from 6.8.2009 to 3.12.2009.
Minister for Local Government from 4.12.2009 to 28.8.2012.
Minister for Regional Development from 4.12.2009 to 28.8.2012.
Minister for Indigenous Development from 4.12.2009 to 28.8.2012.
Minister for Tourism from 4.12.2009 to 28.8.2012.
Honours
Inaugural Journalism Award, Deadly Awards, 2013.
Walkleys nomination, 2013.
Walkleys nomination, 2014.
Journalist of the Year, Multicultural and Indigenous Media Awards (MIMA), 2014.
Logies nomination, 2015.