The Member for Mulka, Yiŋiya Mark Guyula, has announced he will step down from the Northern Territory Parliament after a decade representing the electorate.
The Yolŋu elder and independent MP shared the decision in a statement, saying he wants to return to his family and community on country and focus on the next generation.
“It’s time for me to return to my family and my people on country to provide the leadership for the next generation as my full focus without the enormous workload that comes with being an Independent Member of Parliament.” He said.
“I need to focus on the next generation of Yolŋu and give the guidance on what it means to be a strong Yolŋu leader on our country, for our people, and across two worlds.”
Mr Guyula said the decision was not easy, but he is proud of his work representing the Mulka electorate.
“It has been my aim to come to Parliament to try and work with government to fix problems and make things better.”
“I have been sent by my people to work with the Government but their answer has always been, “we know what is best for you”, rather than working in partnership with us.”
He said his experience in Parliament had left him frustrated by what he believes is a lack of willingness from successive governments to listen to Aboriginal communities.
“What I have discovered is that Aboriginal communities are the political football that gets passed around with no real intention of working with our people to bring positive change for our communities.” Mr Guyula said.
Mr Guyula also pointed to the CLP Government’s recent changes to child protection legislation as a concern.
The Care and Protection of Children Legislation Amendment (Every Child Matters) Bill 2026 passed Parliament in July, in what the Government described as the most significant overhaul of the Territory’s child protection system in a generation.
The legislation includes changes to the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle, aimed at keeping children connected to kin and culture, as well as enforceable Family Responsibility Agreements and Orders.
Mr Guyula had campaigned against the amendments, saying the Government was continuing to introduce laws he believes are harmful to Aboriginal communities.
“I appealed to the Government to withdraw the Bill and work with communities to bring real changes that will work.” He said.
“Since their election, the CLP have introduced too many laws that are dehumanising, oppressing and destroying our communities and our people.”
“They have significantly failed Aboriginal people and their ongoing actions are contributing to the breakdown of our culture and people, in what is now becoming a slow genocide. “
Mr Guyula said his decision also comes as he gets older and manages health concerns, and that he wants to make room for new leadership.
“As I too get older, and have also had health concerns, I need to return my focus to community-led solutions on country and make space for someone else to come in with new energy to serve the electorate and continue to hold the Government to account.”
He said he would continue advocating for his community outside Parliament.
“I will continue to serve the people as a Yolŋu leader for as long as I have left, and I will continue to seek genuine partnerships and advocate for our homelands and community-led solutions that are desperately needed on country.”
