My Story

My name is Selena Jane Malijarri Uibo, I am the Member for Arnhem and the Northern Territory Labor Opposition Leader. 

I am a born and bred Territorian. My mother, Didamain Uibo, was a Nunggubuyu lady from Numbulwar and comes from the Nundhirribala clan, famous for their Red Flag dancers.


My father, Mick Uibo, is a second generation Australian who has lived in the Territory for nearly 60 years and is of Irish, South African and Estonian heritage.


Both of my parents were educators, a profession that I followed before my journey into politics.


It is because of my parent’s love, dedication and guidance that I am where I am today.

Selena's Story

Selena received her early education in Batchelor and Darwin and completed her secondary education at Sanderson High School and Casuarina Senior College. She holds a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education dual degree from the University of Queensland, where she was named Valedictorian of her graduating year.

Once graduated, Selena travelled to her mother’s community of Numbulwar and taught at the local school for four years. 


Selena was recognised for her hard work as a remote community educator with the Commonwealth Bank Foundation Teaching Award in 2013, a Northern Territory Department of Education Teaching Excellence Award in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education in 2014, and the Chief Minister’s Medal for outstanding and meritorious work in the public sector in 2015.

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    It was during this time that Selena felt that she could do more to help her community in Numbulwar as well as other communities in the south-east Arnhem Land region when it came to road access, education, health and community growth.


    This is what inspired Selena to join the Northern Territory Labor Party.


    Two years later, Selena was sworn in as member of the Northern Territory 13th Assembly as the newly elected Member for Arnhem.


    She was promoted to the Cabinet of the former Territory Labor Government in 2018 and went on to hold a number of portfolios including Education, Attorney General, Aboriginal Affairs, Housing and Homelands, Public Employment and Health.


    In September 2024, Selena was sworn into the 15th Assembly as the Northern Territory Labor Opposition Leader, the first Aboriginal women to lead a major political party in Australia, with an all-Aboriginal caucus.


    Selena is honoured to be the leader of the NT Labor Party and the Leader of the Labor Opposition and pledges to the people of the Northern Territory that she will work constructively and collaboratively and always in their best interest