Andrew Blamey for Mulka
A bit about me
All good Territory stories start with a plan to stay for just a few weeks, nearly 20 years later I am still knocking around this amazing place. A wife, two kids and now on to my second dog (R.I.P Marvin), the Territory has been good to me and my family.
I have been lucky enough to see a lot of what the Territory has to offer, from a few weeks working in Borroloola after arriving in the Territory, to just over two years in Tennant Creek, with countless stop offs along the way in our towns and many of our remote communities. I am quickly heading to the three-year mark in East Arnhem, my family and I see Nhulunbuy as our home and I am passionate for the town and the wider East Arnhem region to prosper into the future.
Professionally, I spent the first 15 or so years working in the building industry across various commercial and industrial projects. In 2018, I needed a change. I began working in the human services sector. For the past eight years, I have worked across homelessness, youth justice, policy and most recently I have been developing programs to roll-out to our regions libraries.
Those who know me will tell you that I am always keen for a chat. If you see me around, feel free to come over to share a few words.
Trust. Commitment. A voice.
My Commitments
To be a strong voice for all in the Mulka electorate.
Be available and approachable throughout the Mulka electorate with a commitment to visit our Communities and Homelands regularly.
Advocate for a sustainable GP service in Nhulunbuy that is located within Gove District Hospital, independent of the Accident and Emergency Department.
Fight for improved Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services infrastructure in our Communities and Homelands.
Push the Government to introduce bonuses aimed at retaining essential staff living in remote locations.
Create a clear vision for Nhulunbuy to transition to a regional service hub that is not reliant on heavy industry, but can support it when the right opportunities arise.
Support Aboriginal Corporations to explore commercial and industrial opportunities that will benefit Traditional Owners and the wider community.
Address housing challenges in our communities with well-planned, culturally appropriate housing strategies leading to positive socio-economic and health outcomes.
With a clearer vision of what the town will become after Rio Tinto’s exit, advocate for a housing plan with stakeholders that provides quality homes for Nhulunbuy residents from both existing and new housing stock.
Fight for the Territory Government to introduce justice programs that aim to rehabilitate not incarcerate Territorians.
Andrew Blamey - Independent for Mulka
Health
Have you had an appointment at your local GP lately? Or have you had a glass of water from the tap at your local clinic?
A town without a regular GP service is not ok. NT health told Nhulunbuy residents that they were working on a new sustainable GP service months ago, and provisions would be put in place until then, where are they? This issue didn’t happen overnight, and the previous Labor Government failed to adequately plan for the future of our town despite more consultations about it than you’ll probably have in your life from your local GP.
The Homelands and Communities of Mulka are not fairing any better. Attracting and retaining staff continues to present challenges for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services throughout the Mulka Electorate. Our clinics that provide essential services to the Yolŋu residents of Mulka could also do with an upgrade so that they can continue to provide much needed services on country.
Trust. Commitment. A voice.
Mining transition
We’ve known this day is coming since 2019; Rio Tinto is leaving town. Can anybody tell me what’s happening?
Both sides of politics in the Territory have had or have a plan, have any of them been realistic or short-term solutions and political promises to buy some extra time? As we creep closer to 2029, is it not a better option to focus on what will stay as we transition to a post Rio Tinto future?
Planning for Nhulunbuy to transition to a service hub for the East Arnhem region should be the Territory Governments focus. The Gove District hospital, Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation, our schools, and small business will stay. Allied health and social care operators will continue to be based in our town providing services to not only Nhulunbuy residents but those who live in our Communities and Homelands. As a service hub, both Territory and Federal Government departments will maintain a presence.
A lot of us have moved to Nhulunbuy from regional towns or have driven through them on our travels. What do the ones we want to live in have? Sports clubs and facilities, a good shop and access to essential services. Relevant stakeholders are exploring alternative options to mining for our region, but we need a plan for a sustainable town that is not reliant on heavy industry.
Andrew Blamey - Independent for Mulka
Justice
Building bigger prisons, incarcerating record numbers of the population without adequate programs to support meaningful change is not the answer to challenges around crime faced in the Territory.
The Territory has one of the largest prison populations per-capita in the world, with a disproportional number of Aboriginal inmates. Why is that? Sadly, we also have high levels of socio-economic disadvantage that not only contribute to first offences but also results in high levels of recidivism.
Addressing poverty, meaningful and well-funded programs throughout our justice system is the answer. What we have been doing is not working, with the prison population rising under both Labor and CLP governments in the last 10 years. The proposed privately funded prison just outside of Darwin will not make our towns and communities safer; it will create an opportunity for private companies to profit from social disadvantage.
Trust. Commitment. A voice.
Education, Economy, and the Environment
The 3 E’s, Environment, Economy, and Education.
I’ve not forgotten about these important topics, but the reality is, I don’t want to be like your typical politician and promise you the world and not deliver.
Throughout East Arnhem, a tradition of strong Yolŋu leadership along with a willingness to fight on matters that impact Yolŋu led to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 becoming law when passed by the Australian federal parliament. The fight for Land Rights enabled Traditional Owners to make decisions that protect the environment we call home. It would be my commitment as Mulka’s MLA to work alongside Yolŋu to guide future development, ensuring that it is environmentally sustainable.
Many of our local Aboriginal Corporations have worked hard to create economic plans and explore major projects that will enable the Mulka electorate to prosper. I feel that Governments’ role is to focus on providing quality health, education and housing. Major projects will come, but they need to be supported, economically viable and built on a strong regional hub that gives confidence to investors.
Our schools throughout Mulka are already doing amazing work. Schools in community are forging partnerships with interstate education providers throughout Australia. Bilingual and Learning on Country programs are available to Yolŋu students, with Tertiary education options also available on Country. In Nhulunbuy, our fantastic teachers continue to do amazing work with our children at both Nhulunbuy Primary and Nhulunbuy High. The Christian College further supplements educational options with private schooling available to those who choose an alternative to Government funded schools.
Andrew Blamey - Independent for Mulka
The Broken Political System
The Territory’s political system is broken. Should we keep trying to fix it? I believe that Independent MLAs are part of the solution.
From its first sitting in 1974 (we had greater powers after self-governance in 1978), the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory has only known one way, yo-yoing between two political parties each with very different ideas on what is best for the Territory.
Has that helped the Mulka electorate to thrive? Or created challenges for our region?
62 years, 15 majority NT Governments (the big two have never had to consider what others are saying if everyone tows the party line), with Labor holding power for 15 of the last 21 years.
The result? An NT debt that is projected to reach $12.55 billion this financial year, community members throughout Mulka who feel they don’t have a voice that is heard, and short-term programs and policies that lack sustainable long-term outcomes.
Why vote for me as an Independent? I will not be silenced by party internal politics, I would push for the things that Mulka needs, our voice would be heard in Darwin at Parliament House, and my ears will be open throughout the Mulka electorate.
Trust. Commitment. A voice.
Campaign update
Like politics throughout Australia, the Territory’s current system is broken. The dominance of the two major parties in the NT has resulted in a debt that is continuing to grow with little long-term positive change happening.
Being a one-person campaign, I’m attempting to become your MLA on a limited time budget and a small campaign fund. I feel that this allows me to push for what is best for the East Arnhem Region and all its residents.
The website is up and running, so on to the next stage of the campaign, getting out for a chat. If I become Mulka’s MLA in the Legislative Assembly, this won't change. I'll always make the time to listen.
Feel free to send me an email at questions@andrewblamey.com
Check out my Facebook page for updates on where I am.
If you see me around, feel free to have a chat.
Andrew Blamey - Independent for Mulka