Matthew Palmer, from Corkwood Bore outstation near Alice Springs, has been elected chair of the Central Land Council and has thrown his support behind a national Voice to Parliament.

Mr Palmer follows in the footsteps of former Central Land Council chair and Anangu youth worker, Kunmanara Hoosan, who passed away late last year.

"My brother will always be in my heart," Mr Palmer told land council delegates at their meeting at Tennant Creek.

The former chair of Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation, the Alice Springs native title representative body, announced he will be campaigning for an Aboriginal voice to parliament.

"I want to put the voice of my people to the parliament. It's time for us to have a say in the laws and policies that affect us," he said.

"We've tried everything else -promises, petitions, marches - and nothing has closed the gap.

"I will campaign for a big yes vote in the referendum because when we are being heard we will achieve positive change on the ground, in Alice Springs and in the bush."

Tuesday's council meeting will be followed by a meeting of the CLC's 11-member executive committee Wednesday, which will discuss the council's Voice campaign.

Mr Palmer, a former court interpreter, speaks Central Arrernte, Alyawarr and English and has been a longtime community advocate.

"I've worked all my life, since I was 16, and it's kept me out of trouble. I have been looking after my people since my twenties."

Mr Palmer was one of the youngest CLC delegates ever elected when Alice Springs outstation residents chose him to represent them on the council.

"I was busy and I loved it. I was on the executive and I'm happy to be back," he said.

Mr Palmer also plans to "talk up for better housing".

"It's really important. We still live in a tin shed – me, my family, my children and their children".

Mr Palmer, who grew up at Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa), believes it is important for people to tell the stories of where they were raised and pass on the knowledge.

"We get the stories from our grandparents and I'm really proud of that. We keep the land strong."

Warren Williams, from Yuendumu, remains the CLC deputy chair.

The Northern Territory Electoral Commission carried out the election and Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation co-chair Barbara Shaw served as presiding officer.

At the same meeting the Central Land Council also chose two representatives for the grants committee of the NT Aboriginal Investment Corporation (NTAIC).