Ngaree Ah Kit facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ngaree Ah Kit
Ah Kit in 2015
Minister for Corporate and Digital Development, International Education, Disabilities and Multicultural Affairs
In office 23 May 2022 – August 2024
Succeeded by	to be appointed
13th Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
In office 20 August 2020 – 23 May 2022
Deputy	Mark Turner (2020–21) Joel Bowden (2021–2022)
Preceded by	Chansey Paech
Succeeded by	Mark Monaghan
Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Karama
In office 27 August 2016 – August 2024
Preceded by	Delia Lawrie
Succeeded by	Brian O'Gallagher
Personal details
Born	Ngaree Jane Ah Kit (1981-06-04) 4 June 1981 (age 44) Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia
Political party	Labor
Parent	John Ah Kit (father)
Occupation	Public servant

Ngaree Jane Ah Kit (born June 4, 1981) is an Australian politician. She was a member of the Labor Party. She was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for the electoral division of Karama in Darwin. She served from 2016 until 2024.

Early Life and Background

Ngaree Ah Kit was born in Katherine, Northern Territory. She grew up in both Katherine and Darwin. She has Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Chinese family roots. Her father, John Ah Kit, was also a Labor Party politician. He was the first Indigenous minister in the Northern Territory.

Community Work and Advocacy

After a personal loss in 2007, Ngaree Ah Kit became a strong supporter for people's mental health. She helped create a support group in 2007. In 2010, she started the Darwin Region Indigenous Suicide Prevention Network. She also worked for the Northern Territory Department of Health.

She was recognized for her important community work. In 2009, she was a finalist for the Young Australian of the Year awards. This was for her work organizing NAIDOC Week events. In 2016, she was a finalist for Australia's Local Hero. This award was for her efforts in helping people with their mental well-being.

Ngaree Ah Kit is well-known in the Northern Territory. She is a passionate supporter for First Nations people. She also advocates for people with disabilities and different cultural groups. She has been a director and spokesperson for many community-run organizations.

Political Career

Ngaree Ah Kit became a minister in the government in May 2022. This happened after the previous Chief Minister, Michael Gunner, resigned.

Ministerial Roles

As a minister, Ngaree Ah Kit held several important jobs. She was the Minister for Corporate and Digital Development. She was also the Minister for Disabilities. Her other roles included Minister for International Education and Minister for Multicultural Affairs.

Speaker of the Assembly

Before becoming a minister, she was the 13th Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly. She was elected to this role on October 20, 2020. This made her the first Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander woman to be a Speaker in an Australian parliament. She served as Speaker until May 2022. Before that, she was an Assistant Minister. Her assistant roles included helping with mental health, disability, youth, and seniors' issues.

Recent Election

In the 2024 Northern Territory general election, Ngaree Ah Kit was not re-elected. Brian O'Gallagher from the Country Liberal Party won her seat.