Its first MLA was Labor leader Bob Collins, who transferred to the seat from Arnhem upon the expansion of the Assembly in 1983.

Tipiloura died of kidney failure in 1992, and was succeeded by former Australian rules footballer Maurice Rioli.

At that election, the CLP picked up a large and unprecedented swing in remote seats, which had traditionally been safe for Labor.

Arafura was no exception, with CLP candidate Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu winning the seat on a 15 per cent swing.

Lawrence Costa regained the seat for Labor in 2016 as part of his party's landslide victory that year.