The 'Democracy Nerds' empowering remote voters

Voter turnout in the last election was as low as 24 per cent in some remote communities. The NT Electoral Commission has a program to turn that around.

Noongar man Neville Kahn from the NT Electoral Commission talks to Ramingining artist Daniel Warrulukuma about the upcoming election. Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke

The remote Arnhem Land community of Ramingining, 400 kilometres east of Darwin, is waking up to what’s hoped to be a new era in voting.

The smell of democracy sausage wafts from a pop-up NT Electoral Commission stall on the main street.

It's drawing people like Daniel Warrulukuma in to talk about what they need to do to have a voice in the August elections.

“I live in [an] outstation, but we know about voting and what the government says,” Warrulukuma told NITV.

Yolngu artist Daniel Warrulukuma at Bula'bula Arts painting Gandayala (red kangaroo), an important creation ancestor of Ramingining. Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke

He's a young voter in the seat of Mulka, and works in the nearby Bula'bula Art and understands the importance of voting in elections.

The 32-year-old Yolngu artist is one of 150 Ramingining residents painting, sculpting and weaving works at the centre.

The skills he learned from his grandfather have linked him into an international art industry, but for many others in Ramingining, finding a job is tough.

Investment in remote jobs needed

In this community of 814 people, jobs are limited.

According to the most recent census, almost 78 per cent of the population are locked out of the workforce, and the median personal income is $217 a week.

They are bleak statistics, but rather than wanting to leave his community Daniel Warrulukuma wants the NT government to invest more in it.

He says that won’t happen unless more Aboriginal people use their power to vote.

“We need help and respect for voting,” Daniel Warrulukuma says.

“I tell my family [about] voting because we need more [government investments].”

East Arnhem Shire Counsellor Jason Mirrijawuy agrees.

“We’ve got to get our people – as many as we have in community and even homelands to come and vote," he said.

"Put your name down and get the right person [to represent Ramingining in Parliament].”

Getting the remote vote

A woman leaves the only supermarket in Ramingining holding a bag of shopping. Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke

Part of the challenge with low voter turnout in communities is remote polling and the need for flexibility in accommodating community needs, something that the NT Electoral Commission will work to be more responsive to this election.

Daniel Warrulukuma and Jason Mirrijawuy say they voted in the last election, but statistics show they were part of a minority.

“Just under 50 per cent of people who are enrolled to vote [in Ramingining] are voting,” Neville Kahn from the NT Electoral Commission said.

In the nearby community of Maningrida, the results were much worse, with a voter turnout of 24 per cent.

“And that’s not even talking about the people who aren’t enrolled,” Neville Kahn said.

A territory-wide issue

A Ramingining resident talks to Remote Engagement Officers at the Northern Territory Electoral Commission's pop-up stall in front of the community's only store. Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke

The number of Aboriginal people enrolled to vote was as low as 67 per cent in the NT in 2017.

That has increased dramatically under federal government changes using data from services to automatically update electoral rolls.

But 330,000 people are still missing nationally, including thousands of Territorians.

“There is a huge gap missing ... I think it’s between the 18–35-year age group that is quite disconnected,” Michelle Connolly from the NT Electoral Commission said.

Ms Connolly is a Yanyuwa Garrawa woman from Borroloola.

Describing herself as a 'democracy nerd', she's excited to be engaging with communities, something she hoped to do last NT election, before the program was shut down by COVID.

The NT Electoral Commission engagement officers speak to local rangers about the upcoming election. Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke

“It’s really important that we engage with remote communities, just to spread awareness that the election is coming in August this year and to get people engaged … talking to them getting them enrolled, educating them around how to vote,” Michelle Connolly said.

In Ramingining the team explain what the NT government controls, regarding funding, and how this vote is different to the local shire and federal government elections.

“It’s extremely important to empower people about the Australian democracy and being a part of it,” NT Electoral Commission Engagement Officer Neville Kahn says.

A Noongar man, Mr Kahn has spent decades working with the NTEC trying to overcome the disconnect between the community and Parliament House.

East Arnhem Shire Counsellor Jason Mirrijawuy sits at a picnic table outside the community store with Ramingining resident Marcus Gathiya, who has been cleaning up the shopfront. Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke

“Just explaining how their vote counts and why they need to vote … particularly in the NT election,” Neville Kahn said.

“The NT government are the main provider of services for remote regions so it’s important to empower people to understand the democratic system – and particularly formal votes, making sure people’s votes count."

Raking outside the Arnhem Land Progress Association Store is Marcus Gathiya, a devout Country Liberal Party supporter who has worked several federal and NT elections.

“Some Aboriginal people don’t know how to vote because I seen it and I heard it,” he said.

A Ramingining mother with her child on her shoulders walks to the supermarket. Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke

He says filling out the voting forms in English can be a hurdle for many remote community residents. Less than one percent of people here speaking English at home.

Cultural Leader and ceremony man Norman Daymirringu says for many people in community, there is a disconnect between the ballot box and Parliament House in Darwin.

“The way I want to see things happen is that if people in government arena ... make a promise, it’s gotta be true,” Norman Daymirringu said.

“Not promising things that fail.”

'Your voice, you gotta bring it'

David Warraya is a councillor for the Birr Rawarrang Ward in the East Arnhem Regional Council. He's encouraging more Yolngu people to vote. Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke

Dragonflies dart backwards and forwards across clear blue skies as a voice on a crackling PA system tells locals the NTEC is in town.

East Arnhem Councillor David Warraya has been calling out to his community, and says he has a strong message.

“It’s going to be a very big election here in Ramingining so your voice, you gotta bring it here,” the Elder says tapping the metal table at the NTEC pop up stall.

He says the early NTEC visit is helpful, but more Ramingining people will need help to access voting on the day.

The NT Electoral Commission program will continue over the coming weeks, with applications now open for postal voting.