(September 9, 2025) From arriving in Australia in 2011 with a nursing degree from Kerala to joining the Northern Territory ministry on 9 September 2024, Jinson Charls’ journey came full circle. In a stunning election victory, he had unseated Labor minister Kate Worden in the Sanderson electorate. He was subsequently entrusted with a broad portfolio in the Country Liberal Party government under Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, and has since been serving as Minister for People, Sport and Culture; Minister for Disability; Minister for Arts; Minister for Youth, Seniors and Equality; Minister for Multicultural Affairs; and Minister for Veterans.
His journey from a nurse to a minister carries a double significance. It is not only the story of a migrant turned politician, but also of a nurse turned lawmaker. Someone who once cared for Northern Territorians in hospital wards, now shapes policies in parliament. “Australia is a great nation, one that gives back to those who work hard, do the right thing, and become part of their community. That’s the principle I carry with me every day, whether representing Sanderson’s local needs or serving Territorians more broadly in my portfolios,” Charls tells Global Indian.
One year on, he reflects on his role as a minister of the Northern Territory, the third-largest federal division in Australia. From Moonnilavu village in Kerala to the Cabinet table in Darwin, his path stands as a shining example of how migrants and professionals from outside politics can help shape the nation’s future through service to its people.
Diaspora dreams, Australian horizons
Born in Moonnilavu, Kottayam district, Charls grew up in a modest hillside village where communal harmony was part of daily life. His father was a bank manager, his mother a teacher. “They taught me that service is not about wealth or status, but about heart, compassion, and responsibility. What stood out to me was their constant willingness to give to others with what little they had,” he recalls.
After earning his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Midwifery in India, he travelled to Australia in 2011 on a three-month visa to complete his nursing adaptation program. That short stay turned into a life-changing path. He secured work in Wagga Wagga, moved through temporary visas, gained permanent residency after two years, and eventually became a citizen.
My own migrant journey helps me connect with people on a very personal level. My wife and I lived in rental housing for years before saving to build our first home. It was a journey filled with perseverance, patience, and gratitude for the opportunities this country provides.
Jinson Charls
Influence of Indian roots on professional journey
Charls believes his upbringing shaped both his values and his career. “My Indian roots also influenced my professional journey. I carried with me the values of hard work and education as I built my career in Australia, completing postgraduate studies in mental health nursing, leadership, and governance while working full-time,” he says.
These experiences, he adds, prepared him for leadership in healthcare and, eventually, in politics. “In short, my background helps me to see the Territory not just as a collection of policies and programs, but as a community of people with aspirations, struggles, and strengths that must be respected and supported.”
From nurse to minister: Expanding the scale of service
Charls’ first role in Darwin was as a Registered Nurse in the Alcohol Mandatory Treatment program. “Despite the real, positive outcomes that the program delivered, it was abandoned by Labor in 2017. That experience taught me how political decisions directly affect communities,” he says.
He went on to hold senior leadership roles in mental health services, ultimately serving as Director of Acute Services, Top End Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services (NT Health). Leading teams, managing crises, and addressing systemic challenges became his daily reality.
“My journey into politics began with my desire to broaden the way I could serve. As a nurse, I was there for people at their most vulnerable moments,” he says. “But I realised many challenges went beyond hospital walls. If I wanted to make a bigger impact, to address not only the symptoms but the systems, I needed to step into public life.” His decision to enter politics was about scale of making impact.
Jinson Charls with his colleagues in the cabinet
Politics gives me the scope to advocate for communities on issues that stretch far beyond health: safety, housing, jobs, education, sport, multiculturalism, arts, and more.
Jinson Charls
His nursing background still guides him in government. “Nursing teaches you to think critically, act under pressure, and empathise. As a health leader, I had to unclog systems, cut through bureaucracy, and think outside the box. Those skills are just as relevant in government. For me, issues should never just be about politics; they should always be about finding the solution, as behind every policy decision is a real person or family who will benefit.”
Achievements in the first year as minister
Looking back at his one year journey, Charls points to one policy milestone as his proudest achievement. “This first year as a Minister has been one of both immense pride and responsibility. The achievement that stands out most strongly is delivering the Restoring Our Territory Lifestyle Strategy. This was the final piece of our government’s three-part plan, alongside the Reducing Crime and Rebuilding the Economy strategies. Together, these road maps lay out a clear direction for a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Northern Territory.”
The impact of these strategies is already visible. After 17 years, international cricket returned to TIO Stadium, drawing sold-out crowds and putting Darwin back on the sporting map. The AFLW Dreamtime blockbuster showcased the Territory’s unique blend of sport and Indigenous culture. The Darwin Festival and community arts programs celebrated local creativity. Beyond urban centres, new multicultural facilities in Alice Springs and Katherine were supported, along with major upgrades to sporting and recreational infrastructure across the NT. “These initiatives build pride, strengthen communities, and make the Territory a better place to live, work, and raise a family,” he says.
Jinson Charls during an Australian Footbal League’s tournament
Challenges of governance
If achievements define progress, challenges define resilience. For Charls, the toughest part has been balancing urgent needs with long-term planning.
“People want safe streets, affordable living, reliable services, and opportunities for their kids right now — and rightly so,” he admits. “But at the same time, we must lay the foundations for the Territory’s future, whether through projects like the State Square redevelopment in Darwin or strengthening youth pathways. Balancing the immediate with the long-term is always a challenge in government, but it is also one of the most important responsibilities.”
Kerala’s pluralism, NT’s diversity
Growing up in Kerala gave Charls a deep respect for diversity. His childhood home was within walking distance of temples, mosques, and churches. “Growing up in India shaped who I am in profound ways. Kerala is a place of immense cultural and religious diversity, where people from different backgrounds live side by side in harmony. I grew up seeing people of all faiths work hard, prioritise education, and look after one another.” Those values continue to guide him in the NT, one of the most multicultural regions in Australia, home to people from more than 170 countries.
Communities thrive when people put aside differences and work together for a common good.
Jinson Charls
As Minister for Multicultural Affairs, he sees his role as a bridge-builder, ensuring cultural communities feel represented while also contributing to the broader social fabric.
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Many hats, one mission
Charls resists the idea that his multiple identities pull him in different directions. “I am a father, husband, son, and brother. I am an Australian citizen of Indian descent. I am a proud Territorian, a local Member of Parliament, and a Cabinet Minister in the Finocchiaro Government. And I am a member of communities like the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and the Darwin Malayalee Association,” he says. “Each of these roles define who I am and strengthen rather than compete with each other.”
In Sanderson, his priority is the local community, which means being visible and accessible: listening to residents, schools, sporting clubs, seniors’ groups, and small businesses to address issues like crime, housing, infrastructure, and opportunities for young people. “Every week, I am out in the electorate listening, learning, and working to deliver solutions.”
At the same time, as Minister for Multicultural Affairs, he remains deeply connected with community groups across the NT, including the Indian diaspora. “The Indian community here has always welcomed me as family, and I value the chance to celebrate our culture together while also standing alongside other communities in their celebrations and challenges,” says the minister, who has served as President of the Darwin Malayalee Association in the past.
Jinson Charls with his wife Anu
A year of transformation
In his first year as a minister, Jinson Charls has proven himself not just as a representative of Sanderson but as a leader with Territory-wide impact. His portfolios span culture, youth, seniors, disability, multicultural affairs, and veterans — each demanding, each community-facing.
From Moonnilavu’s hillside village in Kerala to Darwin’s Cabinet table, Charls’ journey reminds that pathways to leadership are not limited by birthplace or profession. They are built through aspirations to make an impact, service, perseverance, and a commitment to the greater good.
