Portfolio — 12 May 2026
Senator McCarthy's activity on 12 May 2026 was dominated by the death of 5-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby: she moved a Senate condolence motion, rejected an amendment from Senator Nampijinpa Price, and underscored the motion's grounding in partnership with the Warlpiri, Gurindji and Roy families. The same grief framed her budget media appearances, where she presented Northern Territory-focused fiscal measures — a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic reaching 33,766 Alice Springs visits, a $250 Working Australians Tax Offset and $1,000 instant deduction benefiting around 120,000 NT residents, a domestic gas reservation scheme commencing July 2027, and approximately $13.5 million for Tangentyere Council — as a coordinated government response to remote disadvantage.
The minister confirmed the Remote Area Allowance will not increase in this budget while flagging continued discussion, and acknowledged active debate over a proposed amendment to the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle.
The official records this note draws on — the raw primary documents themselves, as published.