Community members rallied outside Northern Territory Parliament House on November 26 in opposition to the Country Liberal Party’s (CLP) Territory Coordinator proposal.
The CLP intends to give the Chief Minister and a public servant unprecedented powers to override NT laws. It claims it is delivering on an election promise to “rebuild the economy” and “unlock and accelerate critical investment and economic development”.
The Territory Coordinator proposal ensures First Nations people will be ignored when it matters most. It has no qualms using its “tough on crime” mantra to secure its power grab, dismissing First Nations voices and solutions.
“Elected for the people, by the people, to benefit themselves,” senior Larrakia man Eric Fejo said. “That’s what the Northern Territory has become.”
Activists from different campaign groups spoke, illustrating the connection of environment and social justice issues.
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“This affects black families,” said long-time youth justice campaigner Natalie Hunter, who also condemned Labor’s treatment of children in detention.
“Now we find ourselves again facing the most vile, shameless and reprehensible politicians in the Northern Territory.
“The CLP went to the election on a race platform, centred around even more extreme attacks on Black children. In the Northern Territory, Black children are dehumanised at every turn.”
“These two will have the power to speed up environmental approvals, to undertake environmental assessments themselves and, in some cases, to exempt some of the most destructive projects in the country from environmental laws altogether,” said Dr Kirsty Howey, Environment Centre NT director.
The Territory Coordinator proposal is a huge concession to big business. If passed, the law could allow a rise in air pollution from volatile organic compounds, poisoned aquifers and more land clearing.
“What we know about this law so far is terrifying in terms of its breadth and its reach,” said Independent MLA Justine Davis. “It gives pretty much unlimited power to an unelected bureaucrat to do whatever they want.”
The Territory Coordinator bill will come to parliament next year.
Meanwhile, the CLP has appointed Stuart Knowles, a former general manager of INPEX, Japan’s largest oil and gas company, to an interim role. INPEX, which has a facility in Darwin Harbour, has a history of releasing toxic chemicals into the air.
“At the stroke of a pen, we’ve got old gas man from across the harbour and our Chief Minister, just dictating to us and making decisions without community consultation,” said pastoralist Daniel Tapp.
Tapp said the Territory Coordinator proposal places water security at greater risk from fracking projects.
“There’s already reports and evidence of water contamination, breaking rules.” Despite this, Tapp said drilling operations have continued: “No fine; business as usual.”
The CLP’s plan guarantees big profits at the expense of the environment and livelihoods.
“We cannot let the Territory become an out-and-out authoritarian state,” said Save Lee Point campaigner Jess Black.
She said it was already difficult to hold developers to account under NT law, after the NT’s Development Consent Authority declined to prosecute Defence Housing Australia for illegally clearing land at Binybara/Lee Point.
The Larrakia-led campaign to protect this significant site is ongoing.
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A petition against the Territory Coordinator is still open for signatures. Greens MLA Kat McNamara tabled a hard copy in parliament, which included more than 1000 signatures.
The CLP was forced to undertake a public consultation on the Territory Coordinator bill after a secret consultation paper was leaked, which generated community outrage.
[Submissions to the Territory Coordinator bill can be made via email until January 17.]