After graduating from the University of Sydney in 1972 with a BA, she worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in Sydney and Canberra, before moving to Darwin in 1985 and continuing her work as a journalist until 1994. She became a member of the Northern Territory parliament in March, 1995, became ALP leader in 1999, taking the ALP to an historic first ever victory in the Territory in 2001.
As well as the title of Chief Minister, she holds a variety of other portfolios.
Martin and her partner have a son and a daughter.