Scrymgour first Indigenous Speaker in House of Representatives

Congratulations to Tiwi and Anmatjere woman Marion Scrymgour, who has become the first Aboriginal person to chair the House of Representatives Chamber.

Ms Scrymgour, the member for the Northern Territory seat of Lingiari, said in a social media post that it was a huge moment for the Parliament.

“But more importantly, it was a message to young Aboriginal people back home in the NT,” she said.

“Aboriginal people deserve to be in every chair, at every table.

“I grew up one of 11 siblings from a working class family in Darwin. My father was a Stolen Generations man who was forcibly removed from his family by the Parliament I sit in today.

“Change happens, it can be slow and it can be painful, but Aboriginal people are strong, we deserve to take our place in this country.”

Ms Scrymgour was appointed to the Speaker’s Panel in the previous Parliament and has been chairing the Federation Chamber for more than a year.

The Speaker’s Panel supports the Speaker of the House of Representatives by chairing debates and maintaining order during parliamentary proceedings.