LAND COUNCILS NOT CONSULTED ON ENVIRONMENT LAW REFORM
The four Northern Territory land councils called out the lack of consultation on the changes to the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act. CLC members want governments to make sure that big projects undergo the strictest water and climate impact tests.
They want the water trigger in the Act expanded to apply to all big, thirsty projects, not just to racking and coal mining.
The CLC’s letters and submissions to the federal government calling for targeted consultation with Aboriginal representative organisations on the reform of federal environment laws have been ignored, even though Aboriginal people have rights to most of the land in the NT.
PREPAYMENT POWER REFORM
Council members endorsed an independent report about how to reduce power disconnections and provide energy security in remote communities. Prepaid power customers in the NT have their power disconnected at a higher rate than those in other states and get less financial hardship support and fewer concessions.
Members called for reforms such as:
• developing a national financial hardship definition for prepayment customers
• funding to ensure people are not cut off during heatwaves and other emergencies
• setting Closing the Gap targets to reduce disconnections
• power retailers helping households under money stress and reporting on this.
SACRED SITES ACT AND NEW ABORIGINAL AREAS PROTECTION AUTHORITY BOARD MEMBER
The council received an update on the Territory’s Sacred Sites Act. The CLC had written to the government in support of the Larrakia traditional owners’ opposition to an 11-storey waterfront hotel in Darwin. The proposed building threatens their sacred site. The hotel development is one step closer to becoming a reality because of recent changes to the law that the NT land councils and the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority board opposed. Sharon Anderson and Roseanne Ellis were nominated to fill one female position on the AAPA board. NT Minister Joshua Burgoyne will decide who gets the position.
VINCENT LINGIARI ART AWARD
The CLC will present the fourth Vincent Lingiari Art Award with Desart later next year. The award will celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976. Aboriginal artists with a connection to land in the CLC region can enter through Desart or ANKA member art centres.
NT POLICE ANTI-RACISM STRATEGY
Members learned that the NT government’s police anti-racism strategy will be released soon. The CLC said that the strategy must acknowledge that racism is still a problem in the force if the police wants to rebuild trust with Aboriginal Territorians.
CLC chair Warren Williams wants to invite the Chief Minister, Lia Finocchiaro, to the next council meeting so she can listen to the members.
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH DISCUSSION
Senior NT health staff asked council members for ideas to put in the government’s youth mental health plan.
The NT coroner recommended this after the Kumanjayi Walker Coronial Inquest.
Delegates broke into regions to discuss what might work. NT Health deputy chief executive, Cecilia Gore, said it was important to include Aboriginal peoples’ insights.
She said she would let the CLC know how the department would use feedback from council members.
NT GOVERNMENT WEAKENS ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS
The NT government has made the Territory’s anti-discrimination law weaker.
The council heard that the federal Racial Discrimination Act continues to protect people in the NT.
COVID VACCINATION PROOF STILL NEEDED FOR CLC PERMITS
People seeking CLC permits still need to prove they have been vaccinated against COVID. If asked, they will have 24 hours to provide proof or their permit may be removed. Congress’ Dr John Boffa said getting vaccinated every 12 months is still the best protection against serious complications from COVID, especially for the sick and the old.
CLC meetings
Executive: 3–4 December 2025, Alice Springs
Council: 28–30 April 2026, Ti Tree
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.