A Senator representing the NT for the past 17 years, Senator Scullion says he will not be re-contesting his position at the upcoming Federal election.

“It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve the people of the Northern Territory for the last 17 years in the Australian Senate,” he said.

“I thank all Territorians for their support over this time. I have been proud to be a member of the Country Liberal Party - the only party that truly represents the real Territory.

“My path to public office wasn’t a conventional one. I was just an everyday fisherman and some time buffalo shooter and I raised my three beautiful children Sarah, Daniel and Luke on a fishing boat off the coast of Gove and North East Arnhem Land.

“John Howard famously said the Coalition is a very broad church and the fact that it has allowed a bloke like me to sit around its Cabinet table shows just why it continues to be the party hardworking Australian families keep putting their trust and faith in.

“And it has been my privilege to have served as the Minister for Indigenous Affairs over the last five years. I am grateful that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have welcomed me in every corner of this continent that I have visited, and worked with me in providing local and national solutions.

“I thank the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for asking me to continue to serve as Minister for Indigenous Affairs until the results of the election are known.”

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.