POLICY PRIORITIES SET
Council members decided what they want the CLC to advocate for during the next three years.
Their priorities are liveable housing, improving how decisions about water are made and a stronger focus on safe drinking water, protecting land and native title rights, lowering the cost of remote living, strengthening Aboriginal control of communities and building resilient communities and homelands.
They also discussed laws, such as the Territory Coordinator Act and the Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act, that the NT government made or changed without consulting with Aboriginal people.
COUNCIL BACKS VOLUNTARY INCOME MANAGEMENT
The CLC has opposed compulsory income management for almost 20 years.
The council discussed the Australian government’s plan to eventually wind it up.
Members said people should have the option of a voluntary system and a careful plan supporting people to manage their own money. If they want, they should be able to set some aside for rent, power, food and other essentials.
The council also said the government should set up a group of Aboriginal organisations to plan how the changes will be put in place, so people are well supported.
CALL TO INCREASE REMOTE AREA ALLOWANCE
The council called on the Australian government to urgently increase the remote area allowance to help families meet the high cost of living in remote communities.
Delegates want the government to carry out a review of the payment before deciding by how much it should increase and what areas should be included in the category of remote and very remote.
They also want the review to look at applying the allowance to the family tax benefit and setting fair review periods.
The council said the review should start as soon as possible and be guided by Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and other groups representing people who receive the allowance.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHANGES FLAGGED
NT Aboriginal affairs minister Steve Edgington told delegates he will start discussions in Central Australia and the Barkly about bringing back smaller local government community councils.
He didn’t provide details on timeframe, funding or plans on how this will all happen.
LABOR HEARS COUNCIL’S CONCERNS
Members told Labor politicians Marion Scrymgour, Selena Uibo, Chansey Paech, Dheran Young and Manuel Brown about their worries about the NT government.
They condemned its failure to consult on changes to sacred sites laws and said soaring incarceration rates and racism in the NT police are making life harder for Aboriginal people.
TERRITORY COORDINATOR PROMISES
The Territory coordinator downplayed the powers of his role.
He promised to consult with Aboriginal people before making decisions and said he did not see a role for himself in the Singleton Station horticulture project.
POLICE RACISM QUESTIONED
Delegates pressed the acting police commissioner on what is happening to stamp out racism in the NT police force.
He said the NT police anti-racism strategy will follow the recommendations from the Kumanjayi Walker coronial inquest and that he supported Aboriginal organisations to be involved in designing an implementation plan.
CLC meetings
Executive: 10–11 September 2025, Alice Springs
Council: 27–29 October 2025, Yulara
The council makes decisions in the best interests of Aboriginal people in our region and to keep the CLC strong. Its meeting rules support strong governance.
To read these rules and the council minutes at our Alice Springs office please contact our strategy and performance manager on 8951 6211.