Following the sad passing of Councillor L Abbott shortly after his re-election, a by-election attracted a field of three candidates that included Giselle Barku from Kintore, Dalton McDonald from Papunya and Audrey Turner from Mount Liebig.
After the distribution of preferences and postal votes, life long member of the Papunya community Dalton McDonald was declared the winner of the by-election by the Northern Territory Electoral Commission.
Dalton becomes the twelfth member of the third council of the MacDonnell Regional Council. Members of the third council of the MacDonnell Regional Council include:
Barry Abbott (returned representative for Ljirapinta Ward) Marlene Abbott (returned representative for Iyarrka Ward) Sid Anderson (returned representative for Luritja Pintubi Ward) Tommy Conway (newly elected representative for Luritja Pintubi Ward) Susan Doolan (newly elected representative for Rodinga Ward) Lynette Ellis (newly elected representative for Rodinga Ward) Roxanne Kenny Council President (returned representative for Ljirapinta Ward) Selina Kulitja (returned representative for Iyarrka Ward) Dalton McDonald (elected in by election to represent Luritja Pintubi Ward) Greg Sharman Deputy President (returned representative for Rodinga Ward) Braydon Williams (returned representative for Ljirapinta Ward) Phillip Wilyuka (newly elected representative for Rodinga Ward)
The first meeting of council following the declaration of the by election will be held on Friday 15 December in the council chambers.