Overview
The Division of Lingiari is an Australian electoral division represented in the House of Representatives. Established ahead of the 2001 federal election, it covers the great majority of the Northern Territory and several distant islands. The division is named after Vincent Lingiari, a Gurindji elder and Aboriginal rights leader.
Geography and communities
Lingiari is one of the largest electoral divisions by area in Australia, stretching across vast desert, pastoral and coastal regions. It includes hundreds of remote Indigenous communities, cattle stations and small towns. The capital city of Darwin and its surrounding suburbs are not included; they fall within the neighboring Division of Solomon. The Northern Territory as a whole is referenced here: Northern Territory.
Key geographic notes:
- Area: among the largest in Australia; the largest division is Durack in Western Australia.
- External territories: Lingiari also encompasses the Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
- It covers much of the Territory outside the small urban centre represented by Darwin and its suburbs.
History and name
The division was created as part of a redistribution that came into effect in 2000. It honors Vincent Lingiari (1908–1988), who led the Wave Hill walk-off and became a symbol of the Indigenous land rights movement. The name recognizes the cultural and political importance of Indigenous Australians in the region.
Political significance and representation
Lingiari elects one member to the federal House of Representatives. Because of its size and the concentration of Indigenous voters, issues such as remote service delivery, land rights, health and infrastructure are prominent in campaigns and representation. For background on electoral divisions, see electoral division.
Notable facts
Aside from its scale, Lingiari is notable for its demographic diversity, including many Indigenous languages and cultures, and for spanning mainland and Indian Ocean external territories. For broader context on the Territory’s federal arrangements, consult resources about Australia.