Selena Uibo facts for kids

Selena Jane Malijarri Uibo (born 25 March 1985) is an Aboriginal Australian politician. She is the current leader of the Labor Party and the Leader of the Opposition in the Northern Territory. She took on these roles on 3 September 2024. Selena Uibo is the first Aboriginal woman to lead a major political party in Australia.

She has been a Labor member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly since 2016. She represents the area known as Arnhem.

Early Life and Education

Selena Uibo was born in the Northern Territory, Australia. Her mother comes from the Nunggubuyu people of Numbulwar and the Wanindilyakwa people of Groote Eylandt. Both of these places are in south-east Arnhem Land. Her father was born in Sydney.

Selena went to school in Batchelor and Darwin. She was involved in many youth programs. These included the Aboriginal Islander Tertiary Aspirations Program and the YMCA Youth Parliament.

Selena graduated from the University of Queensland in 2010. She earned degrees in Arts and Education. She started her teaching career at Casuarina Senior College. Later, in 2012, she moved to Numbulwar, where she worked as a senior teacher.

In 2013, she received an award for teaching her students about managing money. She also won the NT Award for Excellence in Teaching or Leadership in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education. She won this award for both the Arnhem region and the entire Northern Territory.

Political Career and Leadership

Selena Uibo was first elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in 2016. She won the seat for the Arnhem area. This seat was previously held by another politician, Larisa Lee. Selena Uibo won with a large number of votes, making Arnhem a strong area for the Labor Party again.

In 2018, Selena Uibo was promoted to a special group of ministers called the Cabinet of the Northern Territory. She became the Minister for Education and Minister for Training. This meant she was in charge of schools and learning programs.

In 2019, she also became the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. This role focuses on matters important to Aboriginal people.

After the 2020 Northern Territory election, Selena Uibo continued as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. She also took on new important roles. These included Attorney-General (the chief legal advisor), Minister for Justice, Minister for Treaty and Local Decision Making, and Minister for Parks and Rangers.

On 3 September 2024, Selena Uibo was chosen as the leader of the NT Labor Party. She was the only person nominated for the role. Because she became the leader of the main opposition party, she also became the Leader of the Opposition. Dheran Young became her deputy leader.