Yingiya Mark Guyula

Yingiya Mark Guyula
MLA
Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
for Nhulunbuy
Assumed office
27 August 2016
Preceded by Lynne Walker
Personal details
Born Mirrngadja, Northern Territory, Australia
Nationality Australian
Political party Independent
Website http://www.yingiya.net

Yingiya Mark Guyula is an Australian politician. He is an independent member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, and was elected at the 2016 Territory election, where he narrowly defeated the Labor member for Nhulunbuy and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Lynne Walker.[1]

Guyula was born and raised in Mirrngadja, and went to school at Galiwinku. His people are the Liya-dhälinymirr Djambarrpuyŋu of Arnhem Land. He worked in aviation as an aircraft mechanic, and gained his private pilot licence. He also worked as a senior lecturer at Charles Darwin University in its Yolŋu Studies program.[2]

Guyula is an elder and spokesperson of the Yolŋu Nations Assembly, which endorsed his candidacy for the 2016 election. He has campaigned for a treaty between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, in preference to the proposal for recognition of indigenous Australians in the Constitution of Australia.[3]

As returns came in on election night, Guyula gradually closed the gap with Walker, and eventually took a narrow lead. After a recount, he won by eight votes. His victory came as a major upset, especially given Labor's landslide victory at that election; Walker would have become Deputy Chief Minister had she retained her seat.

Shortly after the election, Guyula attracted criticism from the new Chief Minister, Michael Gunner after he claimed with regards to domestic violence that "A lot of the time, women start the fighting and men end up in jail"[4]

Shortly before being sworn into parliament, it was discovered that Guyula was in fact a member of the Milingimbi Local Authority meaning the Guyula was not eligible to run for parliament. Under the NT Electoral Act, if the court found Mr Guyula was not eligible to run for Parliament it could declare the election void or find the second-placed candidate was the rightful winner. [5] This matter was referred to the Court of Disputed Returns. Guyula stayed quiet on the matter and instead left the talking to his advisor.

References

  1. ↑ "Effectiveness of state, territory and Commonwealth government policies on regional and remote Indigenous communities". Senate Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  2. ↑ "Yolŋu Aboriginal Consultants Initiative". Yolŋu Studies and Research. Charles Darwin University. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  3. ↑ Wahlquist, Calla (11 March 2016). "Treaty push should replace Indigenous Recognise campaign, says Yolngu leader". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  4. ↑ http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/domestic-violence-view-wrong-gunner/news-story/46134248c3eefbc23b0599b53088df3a
  5. ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-20/electoral-commission-to-refer-yingiya-mark-guyulas-election/7951196
Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
Preceded by
Lynne Walker		 Member for Nhulunbuy
2016–present 		Incumbent
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