Committee Members
The Northern Territory Statehood Steering Committee is made up of three members of parliament as well as up to fifteen members from the community representing a range of Territorians.
Committee Organisational Chart for Reporting Purposes
The Statehood Steerign Committee is a Sub Committee of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly and is seperate from the Northern Territory Government. It does not report to Government but through to the Assembly via the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
Malarndirri McCarthy MLA became the Chair of the Statehood Steering Committee on Tuesday 5 September 2006. She succeeded Elliot McAdam MLA who held the position since the inception of the Committee in April 2005.
Malarndirri McCarthy is the member for Arnhem and a former television broadcaster. She is Chair of both the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs and the Statehood Steering Committee. Malarndirri is committed to an inclusive education and consultation process for the Statehood Steering Committee.
Co-Chair Fran Kilgariff has recently stepped down after eight years as Mayor of Alice Springs and has a long and noteworthy history of contribution to the Northern Territory, as has the Kilgariff family. Her father Bern Kilgariff was the first Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in 1974 and subsequently went on to represent the Northern Territory as a senator from 1975 until 1987.
Fran has always had a strong interest in Statehood, especially the necessity for strong public involvement and understanding in the Statehood process.
Brian Martin AO MBE came to Alice Springs in 1963 and moved to Darwin in 1981. He has followed a legal career in private practice, public service and as a judge of the NT Supreme Court until he retired in late 2003. In the meantime Brian was involved in local government and other community affairs and had travelled widely throughout the NT.
Brian is looking forward to Statehood as being a vital step for Territory control of its state like affairs.
Daniel Bourchier As the youngest community member of the Statehood Steering Committee, Daniel believes young people have a vital role to play in debate about shaping the future of the Territory. Born and raised in Tennant Creek, Daniel as been an advocate for young people for many years. His advocacy has included being the Chairman of the Tennant Creek National Youth Week Regional Steering Committee, the
Vice-Chairman of the Desert Harmony Cultural Festival Committee, and High School Captain. He has been on various other panels advocating for his peers as well.
In 2005, Daniel was the Young Territorian of the Year and the Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year. Daniel works actively in the Statehood Steering Committee because he believes in equality for all Territorian Australians. "Being on the SSC has provided the opportunity to learn about the Territory's history of government, and enables him to playing an active role in its future," he said. Daniel encourages all Territorians to become familiar with the issues surrounding a move to Statehood, and to be actively involved in the process.
Daniel is a reporter with the Northern Territory News.
Jenny Medwell OAM has extensive experience in multicultural affairs. She was formerly the Assistant Secretary of the Victorian Ethnic Affairs Unit and Director of the then Northern Territory Office of Ethnic Affairs. She moved to Darwin from Papua New Guinea in 1979.
Jenny is the President of the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory Inc. a peak body that represents the interest, aspirations and concerns of Territorians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and newly arrived migrants in the Territory. She is committed to the strong engagement and active participation of these Territorians to the Statehood processes. She is also looking forward to the inclusion of equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for all Territorians regardless of their cultural, ethnic, religious background or gender in the proposed constitution if the Territory moves towards Statehood.
Active in the Trade Union movement since the 1970's, Jamey Robertson has been involved in a range of community organisations over the years including the City Council, Performing Arts Centre and as Chair of the May Day Committee. A long term Territorian, Jamey believes Statehood brings responsibilities and hopes to engage the community in developing the framework for ensuring the NT Government and Parliament take those responsibilities seriously in working toward a fair model for Statehood that is representative and equitable.
Kathleen Chong-Fong was born and raised in Darwin, a fifth generation Australian (and Territorian) of Chinese descent. She completed all her schooling locally from Parap Pre-school through to Darwin High and the Northern Territory University (as it then was) where she obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree. She works as a solicitor in the Aboriginal Land Division of the Solicitor for the Northern Territory, Department of Justice. She is also the General Secretary and Public Officer of the Chung Wah Society Inc.
Irene Nangala is an elected member of Walungurru Council located in Kintore west of Alice Springs she is a traditional owner with responsibility for her lands and her community. Irene brings to the Statehood Steering Committee the unique perspective of Aboriginal peoples living in remote Australia and the issues that are important to them. She would like to ensure that if Statehood comes it recognises the value and importance of its traditional inhabitants.
Margaret Vigants has been a long term Territorian working with a range of Territory organisations such as the NT Road Safety Council, Territorians for Statehood, the NT Centenary of Federation Committee, as a local Councillor and representing Local Government at the 1998 Statehood Convention. With more than 22 years lived 'out bush' Margaret brings a sound knowledge of remote communities and living to the Statehood Steering Committee. Working with the Grants Commission Margaret knows what happens on the ground in many Territory communities. With a dedication to Statehood on democratic terms she is also part of the Executive Group for the Committee.
Kezia Purick not only represents the interests of the Northern Territory Minerals Council (Inc.), where she is the Chief Executive, but Territorians in general when it comes to Statehood. As a delegate to the 1998 NT Constitutional Convention, Kezia has a broad understanding of the politics and policies that have been part of the past Statehood debates and with a range of community responsibilities including a member of the Board of Studies, the Work Health Advisory Council and the Royal Agricultural Society, brings a broad scope to Statehood discussions. As a long term Territorian who has lived and worked in the Territory all her life, Kezia has experience with difficult issues and is sensitive to many facets of Territory life contributing to her being a valuable member of the Statehood Steering Committee.
Maurie Ryan Japarta lives in Kalkaringi/Daguragu. He is the President of the local School Council as well as being the Deputy Chair of the Central Land Council and the President of the Daguragu Association.
Maurie organised and hosted the activities for the 40th Anniversary Freedom Day celebrations at Kalkaringi on 25 August 2006. He is a new member to the Statehood Committee bringing his experience and enthusiasm to the work we do.
Pete Davies is probably better known as the long time host of the Mix1049 Breakfast Show in Darwin. Pete brings more than 20 years of advertising and marketing experience to the Statehood Steering Committee.
As the chair of the Statehood Steering Committee's Marketing and Communications sub committee, Pete's primary role is to identify and develop communications strategies that will ensure all Territorians are kept fully informed about all aspects of the Statehood process.
Terry Mills was elected to Parliament in 1999, and has served as the CLP Member for Blain, in Palmerston, since then. He is actively involved in the community, and has received Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Awards for this work. Born into a farming family near Geraldton, Western Australia, Terry started his working life on the land, but changed to begin a teaching career in the late 1970s. He spent 17 years in non government education, 10 of these as the first principal of the Palmerston Christian School. Terry married his wife Roslyn in August 1982 and they moved to Palmerston in 1990 with their two children, Kristen and Matthew.
Karl Hampton, member for Stuart.
Wayne Connop is a Jawoyn person from Katherine now living in Palmerston, a lawyer and qualified plumber Wayne now works for the Department of Employment Education and Training. He is interested in constitutional development and politics. His grandfather was a fettler on the first Territory railway line and his great grandfather was dedicated in the book We of the Never Never as the first outback mailman in the Northern Territory.
Harry Nelson from Yuendumu, a traditional owner and a member of the Central Land Council, joined the Committee during 2007. Harry has a long history of community involvement in the Northern Territory and is interested in the opportuties Statehood offers for reconciliation.
Peter Schaefer from Alice Springs came to the Committee in mid 2007. Peter is a local businessman, member of Rotary and active in the Alice Springs business community. Peter has an interest in representing local urban based Alice Springs people on the Committee to ensure that Alice Springs has a voice in the discussion and consultation process.
Ray Wooldrige is Vice President of the Northern Territory Local Government Association (Community) and is on the Pine Creek Community Government Council. With longstanding experience in grass roots government Ray brings a range of skills to the Committee and a voice for local government across the Territory.
STEERING COMMITTEE STAFF
Executive Officer - Carloynne James
Project Officer - Poppy Lelekis
Administration and Research Assistant - Marise Riddell
Nora Kempster is from Ammaroo in Central Australia but has lived in Darwin for 12 years working in both the Commonwealth and Territory public sector focusing on remote communities' consultation.
Nora is developing the Statehood Steering Committees' community outreach work program to ensure the Committee meets its commitment to education on Statehood issues for all Territorians.
STANDING COMMITTEE STAFF
Pat Hancock has a background in public policy and, for 15 years has been a parliamentary officer of the Legislative Assembly. Pat is an ex officio member of the Committee by virtue of being Secretary to the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. She has lived in the Northern Territory for 30 years.
As well as public service, Pat has a long history of involvement in diverse community-based activities, with a special commitment to youth issues and education, as well as breast cancer advocacy.
LEGAL CONSULTANT
The Statehood Steering Committee's Constitutional/Legal Adviser is nominated by the Solicitor General under the Terms of Reference. The Comittee has recently asked the SG to replace outgoing Advser Mr Graham Nicholson. Mr Nicholson is a barrister who had a long association with the Statehood issue through various previous Committees auspiced by the Legislative Assembly. The Committee thanks him for his invaluable work and wishes him well in the future. A new nominee is expected to be announced shortly.
FORMER COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Sue Bradley AM (Founding Co Chair 2005 -2008)
Stuart Kenny (2005 -2008)
Loraine Braham (2005 - 2008)
Mr Geoff Shaw AM (2005-2006)
Mr Kim Hill (2005-2006)
Mr Elliot McAdam MLA (2005-2006)
Mr Galarrwuy Yunupingu AM (2005)