It was one of the easiest wins for the ALP.

The teacher, who has been working in the Barkly for the past 28 years, said he had been campaigning since he arrived.

“This is not just about the election period,” he said.

“I have been working hard to promote educational equality and regional and remote development for nearly three decades.

“And the job really starts now.

“I’m looking forward to this period of my life; it represents an opportunity to deliver positive changes for the Barkly.”

Retiring Barkly MLA Elliot McAdam said McCarthy, was a gutsy, passionate and committed man who would be a great advocate for remote areas.

“His win puts the government on notice,” he said.

“There’ll be no more bullshit when it comes to the bush.”

McCarthy has had an interesting career in education.

He was involved in establishing five remote schools and has held challenging positions in education across the Barkly.

McCarthy’s career has taken him from Epenarra through to Borroloola, but for the past eight years he has been based in Tennant Creek.

As an educator, he was involved with the Aboriginal Hearing Program and then later oversaw the establishment of the Tennant Creek Alternative Education Program, a position he retained until his resignation from the Department of Education to contest the election.