Senator Malarndirri McCarthy

Malarndirri McCarthy is a Yanyuwa woman from Borroloola in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory, and a multi-award-winning journalist, presenter and Australian politician. She has produced and presented news and current affairs programs for ABC television and radio, SBS and NITV, and co-established Borroloola’s first community radio station, B102.9FM – The Voice of the Gulf. She also founded the Lijakarda Cultural Festivals & Media, Arts and Training Centre for Yanyuwa, Kudanji, Garrawa and Mara people.

Beginning her career as a cadet journalist under the ABC Aboriginal Journalist Cadet program in 1989, Malarndirri quickly advanced to become weeknight newsreader for ABC News in Darwin and contributed to award-winning documentaries including Stolen Children and A Dying Shame. Her journalism has earned multiple accolades, including the Deadley’s Inaugural Award, Walkley nominations, and recognition as Journalist of the Year at the Multicultural and Indigenous Media Awards.

Malarndirri served as a Northern Territory Labor politician, holding portfolios including Children and Families, Women’s Policy, Indigenous Development, Regional Development and Statehood. She was instrumental in recommending a Board of Inquiry into the NT child protection system, and was known for her principled leadership, notably crossing the floor to protect culturally significant lands from mining development.

Committed to Indigenous education and youth development, Malarndirri works closely with schools to support Indigenous students staying in school and progressing to tertiary study and work. Her career spans media, politics and advocacy, giving her a rich perspective that informs her highly engaging MC, facilitation and speaking engagements. She inspires audiences with stories of leadership, culture, resilience and social change.