Selena says hello to West Arnhem

Labor Candidate for Arnhem Selena Uibo meets young Harry Nabulwab in Jabiru Town Plaza as Samson Henry, Nerisha and Augustine Nabulwab look on.

THE Labor candidate for the seat of Arnhem visited Jabiru recently to talk to residents about their concerns in the lead-up to this year’s NT election.

Selena Uibo was born in Darwin and grew up in Batchelor, graduating from high school before moving to Brisbane where she gained a teaching degree from the University of Queensland.

She told The Wire that education is her passion.

“Both of my parents are retired teachers, and we have always had a political interest at home, in what happens and doesn’t happen in our communities,” she said.

Selena Uibo.

Eager to give back to her community, Selena moved back to Numbulwar where she became a senior teacher. Selena, whose mother is a Nunggubuyu lady from Numbulwar and Wanindilyakwa from Groote Eylandt, says she chose to run for the seat of Arnhem to improve the quality of life for all Territorians, no matter where they live.

“My main purpose in travelling to West Arnhem is to talk to people and find out what issues locals are focused on,” she said. “People are concerned about the future of Jabiru and about what is going to happen. This is something I will be talking to opposition leader Michael Gunner about, particularly going into the election.”

Late last year, the NT Electoral Commission changed the electoral boundaries, moving Jabiru and Kakadu National Park from Arafura to the seat of Arnhem, which extends east to Groote Eylandt. Arnhem also gained areas east of Katherine from Stuart, while losing Milingimbi and Ramingining to Nhulunbuy.

The current sitting member for Arnhem, Larisa Lee, left the Country Liberal Party in early 2014 and now sits as an Independent.

Selena said it was important that people were aware of the changes and ensured they were enrolled in the right place.