A by-election for the electoral division of Mulka in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly is being held on 12 September 2026, following the resignation of Independent MLA Yingiya Mark Guyula.
The by-election was called for Labor by the ABC at 8:00p.m. local time (2 hours after polls closed), with Yiwarr McGrath claiming victory for the party.
Background
Former member Guyula resigned from the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly on 19 August 2026, citing his inability to "sit opposite a government who are not willing to listen or form partnerships" and in particular, the government's introduction of "too many laws that are dehumanising, oppressing and destroying our communities and our people". Additionally, he highlighted some personal "health concerns" and a desire to "make space for someone ... with new energy". He had served as the MLA for Mulka and its precursor Nhulunbuy since winning it from Labor by 8 votes in 2016.
Key dates Issue of writ — 20 August 2026 Nominations open — 20 August 2026 Electoral roll closes — 21 August 2026; 5 pm Nominations close — 27 August 2026; 12 pm Declaration of nominations and ballot draw — 27 August 2026 Postal vote mail-out commences — 31 August 2026 Early voting begins — 31 August 2026 Mobile voting begins — 31 August 2026 Overseas postal voting despatch closes — 8 September 2026; 5 pm All postal voting despatch closes — 10 September 2026; 5 pm Early voting closes — 11 September 2026; 6 pm Election day — 12 September 2026 Election day voting closes — 12 September 2026; 6 pm Mobile voting closes — 12 September 2026; 6 pm Count begins — 12 September 2026; 6 pm Recheck of counts — 14 September 2026; 9 am Verification of declaration votes — 14 September 2026; 9 am Postal votes count begins — 14 September 2026; 9 am Postal vote deadline — 25 September 2026; 12 pm Final distribution of preferences — 25 September 2026; 12 pm Results declared — 28 September 2026; 10 am Return of writ — 21 October 2026 Last day to dispute validity of election — 9 November 2026
Previous results
Candidates Candidates are listed in ballot order. PartyCandidateBackground Independent Andrew Blamey Library program assistant & former construction worker Labor Yiwarr McGrath Registered nurse & health researcher
Labor Territory Labor preselected 2021 Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year Yiwarr McGrath on 25 August. McGrath is a Yolŋu registered nurse and lives in Elcho Island.
Independent Independent candidate Andrew Blamey launched his campaign on 27 August. He lives in Nhulunbuy and works in the "human services sector" across "homeslessness, youth justice" and most recently has been working as a library program assistant for East Arnhem Regional Council, having formally worked in the construction industry. Country Liberal Party The Country Liberal Party chose not to run a candidate, calling the by election a "disruption" and stating that they were "more focused on taking the fight" to the federal Labor government and "planning for the 2028 Territory election".
Results
Results by polling place Polling place Andrew Blamey Labor Formal Informal Turnout Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Total % Nhulunbuy pre-poll 385 37.5% 641 62.5% 1,026 97.5% 26 2.5% 1,052 40.4% Darwin pre-poll 4 9.5% 38 90.5% 42 100% 0 0% 42 1.6% Nhulunbuy 102 58% 74 42% 176 95.7% 8 4.3% 184 7.1% Mobile Team 1 36 5.7% 598 94.3% 634 96.6% 22 3.4% 656 25.2% Mobile Team 2 14 2.6% 520 97.4% 534 97.3% 15 2.7% 549 21.1% Postal 30 40.5% 44 59.5% 74 98.7% 1 1.3% 75 2.9% Declaration 3 6.3% 45 93.8% 48 100% 0 0% 48 1.8%
See also List of Northern Territory by-elections 2026 Nightcliff by-election
References