NT Labor Leader Defends Office Culture

Topic: State and Territory Parliament

Tuesday, 23 June 2026, at 4:57 pm

Selena Uibo says she has fixed some problems in her office, but there is still work to do.

In short:

Northern Territory Opposition Leader Selena Uibo has defended her office's culture after allegations of bad behavior by a senior staff member.

Sources told the ABC that a senior staff member made comments that were not respectful to a junior staff member, who has since left.

Last week, Ms Uibo changed the deputy leadership position, with Ed Smelt replacing Dheran Young.

The Northern Territory opposition leader has defended her office's culture after allegations of bad behavior by a senior staff member.

Selena Uibo has been answering questions about her staff's behavior for days, during a time of change for her party.

Sources said a senior staff member made many comments that were not respectful to a junior staff member earlier this year.

The junior staff member has left Ms Uibo's office, and a review of the alleged bad behavior was started.

Dheran Young was removed as NT opposition leader last week after a vote.

Ms Uibo said her office works in a unique and highly charged environment.

She also said she took concerns seriously when they were raised in her office.

At a press conference, Ms Uibo said she had fixed some problems in her office, but there was still work to do.

Close vote in deputy contest

Ms Uibo's statement was released less than five days after she declared the Territory Labor deputy leader position vacant.

In a vote, Dheran Young was replaced by Ed Smelt, who was elected in March.

Territory Labor had only four seats in the NT parliament before Ed Smelt joined.

The vote was won by Mr Smelt 3-2, with Mr Young supported by his colleague Chansey Paech.

The Northern Territory Labor party has replaced its deputy opposition leader with a newcomer.

Fellow Left MLA Manuel Brown voted against his own group and supported Mr Smelt.

The change in deputy leadership was announced in a Facebook post by Mr Young.

Mr Young has also stepped down from all his shadow portfolios.

Ms Uibo said she hoped the move to install Mr Smelt as deputy leader would win back the trust of people in Darwin.

Mr Smelt's victory in the Nightcliff by-election restored Labor's presence in the NT capital.

Tuesday, 23 June 2026, at 4:57 pm

Tuesday, 23 June 2026, at 7:04 pm