Malarndirri McCarthy is a Yanyuwa Garrwa woman from the Gulf country in the Northern Territory.  

She was elected as Senator for the Northern Territory (including Christmas and Cocos Keeling Islands) in 2016 and again in 2019 and 2022.

She was appointed Minister for Indigenous Australians in July 2024, after the retirement of her friend and colleague Linda Burney, joining the Prime Minister’s Cabinet team.

Before becoming Minister, Malarndirri served as Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians.

Malarndirri is proud to be part of the Albanese Labor Government, working hard to improve the lives of all Australians and has made Closing the Gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians her priority, along with remote employment and food security in remote First Nations communities.

Before she entered federal parliament, Malarndirri was elected to the Northern Territory Assembly as the Member for Arnhem in 2005. During her seven years in the Legislative Assembly, she held the Ministerial portfolios of Local Government, Regional Development, Indigenous Development, Tourism, Women’s Policy and Statehood. 

Malarndirri first entered the public sphere as a journalist with the ABC as well as SBS/NITV. 

A proud Territorian, Malarndirri’s experiences bring unique perspectives to the role of Labor Senator for the NT, a familiarity with the challenges and opportunities facing Territorians, and the perseverance and determination to drive change.  

Malarndirri lives in Darwin with her husband Richard and their family.