The first Greens politician in the Northern Territory parliament is quitting 18 months after being elected to the seat of Nightcliff.
Kat McNamara is leaving the role effectively immediately due to “ongoing health challenges”, according to a statement released on Monday.
“I have made the extraordinarily difficult decision to resign as the member for Nightcliff,” she said.
“I cannot stress enough how difficult this decision has been to come to.
“It has been an enormous privilege to serve the people of Nightcliff and to be the first Greens member elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly.
“This has been something beyond my wildest dreams, and I have shouldered the immense responsibility of the role with pride every day.”
Kat McNamara won the seat of Nightcliff in the August 2024 NT election, marking the Greens first win in the NT. (ABC News: Andie Smith)
McNamara said she could no longer give the job her all.
“I am someone that likes to commit 150 per cent to everything I do,” she said.
“This community deserves to continue to have someone who can give them that, and unfortunately, I cannot anymore.
“As anyone in parliament will tell you, the responsibility of the role bears a significant toll on us all, particularly for those of us with young children.”
Kat McNamara has been vocal on environmental and integrity issues, and also spoke out about the NT’s new administrator. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)
During her time in parliament, McNamara has championed environmental and integrity issues.
McNamara also called for a ban on gifts from corporate bookmakers to members of the NT’s gambling commission.
She was one of seven crossbench and opposition MLAs who walked out of Question Time last week in protest over the appointment of David Connolly as NT administrator.
In October, McNamara was referred to the privileges committee for an investigation into the alleged misuse of an electorate office for electioneering.
The referral from the CLP government came one day after McNamara brought a parliamentary censure motion against Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley, for alleged disrespect, aggression and intimidation against women in the chamber.
Kat McNamara was banned from NT Parliament for 24 hours, after protesting the government’s administrator appointment. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)
McNamara’s exit will trigger a by-election in the Darwin-based Nightcliff seat, one of the territory’s most progressive.
Nightcliff was held by Labor for 24 consecutive years, before McNamara beat former chief minister Natasha Fyles to win it for the Greens in 2024.
The by-election will be the first test for Labor Opposition Leader Selena Uibo since the party was thumped at the 2024 election.
Labor was left with just four remote-based seats in the 25-seat parliament.
In her statement, Kat McNamara said she hopes the next member for Nightcliff will reflect the electorate’s “progressive” character. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)
In her statement, McNamara said she hoped her successor honoured the progressive “values and spirit” of the electorate.
“Nightcliff is uniquely progressive, engaged, and full of hope, and must be represented by someone who truly listens and is led by this community,” she said.
“That is something I have strived to do every day as the member for Nightcliff, and I hope that my successor honours the values and spirit of this wonderful place.”
‘Paved the way’
NT Greens party convenor Jonathan Parry said McNamara had made an “enormous contribution” to the Nightcliff electorate.
Greens make history with first NT politician
“Supporting and listening to constituents, hosting regular community dinners, film nights, policy information sessions, and starting Nightcliff’s first community pantry,” he said.
“In parliament, they have been a strong advocate for climate action, gambling reform, integrity, social justice, renters’ rights, and for raising awareness of the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
“They have re-imagined what it means to be a member of the Legislative Assembly and have paved the way for strong progressive representation into the future.”
NT Speaker Robyn Lambley said the NT’s acting administrator and chief minister had been advised of McNamara’s resignation.