Makaratta hasn't been mentioned during the election campaign, but this Labor MP wants it back on the table

SBS Australia

23-04-2025

The Lingiari electorate honours Vincent Lingiari, a Gurindji man whose activism led to the first successful land rights claim, granted in 1975 by then Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. It's also a seat which encompasses 99 per cent of the Northern Territory and has the highest proportion of Indigenous voters in the country. Labor has held Lingiari for all of the 21 st century.
But Marion Scrymgour, the Labor MP elected to the House of Representatives on a razor-thin margin in 2022, is fully aware that every vote in the Northern Territory's 76 remote community is vital. 'I only won this seat by 900 votes the last time," she told Living Black's Karla Grant. "I'm very conscious of that, of working hard to make sure that I do my job." Facing a tough campaign to retain her seat, Scrymgour has priorities for a re-elected Labor government.
Scrymgour appears to be a popular figure as she walks through the Todd Mall market in Alice Springs on a Sunday morning. There are smiles and waves as her constituents bail her up for quick chats. But behind the sunny mood is a determination to express the views of the people of Lingiari. Reflecting on the outcome of last year's Voice referendum, Scrymgour said there remained strong support for change among Aboriginal people in her electorate — and frustration that momentum had stalled. 'I think that Aboriginal people and communities want us to continue that journey." While Lingiari voted No in the referendum, the margin was smaller than in many other parts of the country. Data released in the wake of the Voice's defeat revealed that majority Indigenous communities overwhelmingly voted Yes.
"You'd have to be tone deaf if you didn't get the message that the bush wanted change," said Scrymgour. "I think out of the 24 booths in the Northern Territory, we won 23 of those booths. "As a re-elected member in Lingiari, I'll do everything that I can ... to elevate those voices in government to make sure that we can take forward the other parts of voice, which is treaty and truth."
"I don't disagree with an audit," she said. "[In] my electorate, there are a lot of labour hire companies that are not Indigenous, that are providing a lot of services into those remote Aboriginal communities for very little outcome. "There are some that are doing a great job, but there's a lot that need to be looked at,' she said.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has frequently visited Lingiari's main population centre of Alice Springs (Mparntwe) and highlighted problems of youth crime and domestic violence. While acknowledging that crime is an issue in Alice Springs Ms Scrymgour said, 'I think youth crime across Australia there are issues and I think it probably wouldn't hurt for the Prime Minister and all the ministers for youth to have a national cabinet that deals with youth crime across the board because we've got a mishmash of legislation that is just demonising young people." 'I'm sorry, I don't agree with locking children up as young as 10 in detention. "Rather than the punitive approach, we need to try and work with families so we get a better outcome for young people, rather than just locking them up.'
As the campaign heads into its final weeks, Scrymgour spoke candidly about the immense personal challenges she's faced over the past year. 'I'm nervous. It's been hard work and there have been plenty of challenges," she said, reflecting on the deeply personal struggles she has encountered in recent months. Her daughter has been battling cancer, her sister has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and her son continues to face struggles with addiction. Despite these challenges, Scrymgour remains resolute in her commitment to her role as a representative for her electorate. 'The biggest challenge is making sure I represent everybody and that their voices are heard loud and clear in Canberra.' Living Black airs Tuesdays at 8.30pm on NITV and is available on SBS On Demand after broadcast.