Originally from Paisley in West Coast of Scotland, Mark and his family immigrated to Australia when he was 9.  Mark established roots in the Northern Territory at the age of 29 and has since become an integral part of the local community. Mark met his wife Michelle, a born and bred Territorian and together they have three children. He is the proud Member for the seat of Fong Lim, a seat with long Territory history, with many long term families and new Territorians.

Mark Monaghan has had a career as a business leader in the Territory, coupled with an extensive background in education spanning over two decades. His tenure in the education sector involved residing in various remote communities within the Territory, including Groote Eylandt, West Arnhem and the Tiwi Islands. Mark's roles ranged from a dedicated teacher to leadership roles as Assistant Principal, Principal, and eventually College Director.

Transitioning into the engineering sector marked a pivotal phase in Mark's professional journey. He assumed the role of General Manager at Engineers Australia in the Northern Territory, followed by his appointment as NT Regional Manager for a prominent civil and structural engineering firm. Mark has been a strong voice of support for female participation in the field of engineering where he developed and initiated a programme. This programme went on to receive national acclaim as a leading Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program.

Mark's multifaceted expertise is now reflected in his ministerial portfolios. This unique combination positions him to continue policy development that fosters a conducive environment for business growth while nurturing the next generation of Territorians.