Ngaree Jane Ah Kit (born 4 June 1981; pronounced [ŋaːrɪː]) is an Australian former politician from the Labor Party. She was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly representing the electoral division of Karama in Darwin from 2016 to 2024.
Ngaree Ah Kit | |
|---|---|
 Ah Kit in 2015 | |
| Minister for Corporate and Digital Development, International Education, Disabilities and Multicultural Affairs | |
| In office 23 May 2022 – August 2024 | |
| Succeeded by | to be appointed |
| 13th Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 20 August 2020 – 23 May 2022 | |
| Deputy | Mark Turner (2020–21) Joel Bowden (2021–2022) |
| Preceded by | Chansey Paech |
| Succeeded by | Mark Monaghan |
| Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Karama | |
| In office 27 August 2016 – August 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Delia Lawrie |
| Succeeded by | Brian O'Gallagher |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ngaree Jane Ah Kit 4 June 1981 Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia |
| Political party | Labor |
| Parent |
|
| Occupation | Public servant |
Early life and background
editAh Kit was born in Katherine, Northern Territory, and was raised in both Katherine and Darwin.[1] She is of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Chinese descent, and is the daughter of John (JAK) Ah Kit, the former Labor member for Arnhem, who was the first Indigenous minister in the Northern Territory from 1995 to 2005.[2] Following her brother's death in 2007, Ah Kit became a suicide prevention advocate, forming a survivors' group in 2007 and the Darwin Region Indigenous Suicide Prevention Network in 2010, and working for the Northern Territory Department of Health.
She was a territory finalist for the Young Australian of the Year awards in 2009 for her work organising NAIDOC Week in the Top End,[3] and a finalist for Australia's Local Hero in 2016 for her suicide prevention work.[4]
Ah Kit is well known in the Northern Territory as a fierce and passionate advocate for First Nations community members, Disability and Multicultural Affairs has placed her well for her portfolios. Ah Kit has also been involved in a number of community-controlled organisations serving as board director and spokesperson.
Political career
editAh Kit was sworn in as minister under the Fyles ministry in May 2022 following the resignation of then Chief Minister Michael Gunner.
Ah Kit held the portfolios of Minister for Corporate and Digital Development; Minister for Disabilities; Minister for International Education; Minister for Multicultural Affairs.
She was previously the 13th Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly making her the first Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander woman to be Speaker of an Australian parliament after being elected on 20 October 2020 following the resignation of Chansey Paech.[5] Before that, she was Assistant Minister for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, Disability, Youth and Seniors.[6]
In the 2024 Northern Territory general election, she was unseated by Country Liberal Party candidate Brian O'Gallagher.[7]
| Years | Term | Electoral division | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–2020 | 13th | Karama | Labor | |
| 2020–present | 14th | Karama | Labor | |
References
edit- ^ "My Territory Childhood – Ngaree Ah Kit". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ "Former Opposition Leader Delia Lawrie has been dumped by the ALP". NT News. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ^ "Ngaree Ah Kit: Young Indigenous Leader". State Finalist Young Australian of the Year 2009. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ "Ngaree Ah Kit: Suicide prevention crusader". Australia's Local Hero 2016. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ "Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory 20 – 22 October 2020 Meetings" (PDF). Northern Territory Parliament. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ "Ngaree Ah Kit". The Wheeler Centre. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ "Karama - NT Electorate, Candidates, Results". abc.net.au. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.