The Northern Territory's major Aboriginal Land Councils have accused the NT Government of systemic racism

SBS Australia

3 days ago

Meeting for the first time since 2020, the NT's four major land councils have say they've been consistently ignored by the NT Country Liberal Government over a raft of policy changes and funding cuts. Chair of the Northern Land Council Matthew Ryan said the behaviour by the NT Government is "appalling". "We've been ignored of our rights and human rights," Mr Ryan told NITV. "Appalling behaviour for all ministers who should be speaking to us," the Barabarra, Wurrpann, and Gurindiji man said.
The group expressed particular concern over the rapidly rising rates of Indigenous incarceration in the Northern Territory.
Accusations of systemic racism The number of people imprisoned across the NT has gone up by more than 600 since the CLP government took power last August.
More than 80 per cent of those prisoners are Indigenous.
Addressing media on Thursday, Central Land Council Deputy Chair, Barbra Shaw, expressed frustration. "It's so disgusting that this government is not listening to our elders," the Kaytetye, Arrernte, Warramunga and Warlpiri woman told NITV. "This government ... needs to start working and listening to Aboriginal people. "We're the only people who are going to have the best solutions for Aboriginal issues."
The rising rates of Indigenous incarceration follow a raft of reforms brought in by the CLP in recent months including tough new bail laws, decreasing the age of criminal responsibility back to 10, and expanding police powers and funding.
The Northern Land Council Chair argued those actions by NT Government are perpetuating systemic racism. "Let me be very clear, there is [racism]," Mr Ryan said.
"There is systemic racism in all organisations whether it's health, housing, or education there is that element there."
Critical funding quietly slashed This week the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) and Red Lily Health Board condemned the NT Government for slashing $20 million promised for a new health facility in Gunbalanya — a west Arnhem Land community 300 kilometres east of Darwin. Despite assurances that funding was secured in the 2024–25 Budget, the building tender was quietly deferred in the 2025–26 Budget, leaving community leaders and health sector partners seeking answers on where the money has gone. 'The Gunbalanya clinic is not fit for purpose and has been on the priority replacement list for over 20 years,' said Red Lily CEO Brad Palmer. 'The project was approved, supported, and budgeted for. After two years of promises, the funding has now been redirected without consultation or explanation," he said.
Gunbalanya is home to approximately 1,500 people — the vast majority of whom are Aboriginal — and is cut off from road access each wet season.
"The community deserves to know why it's no longer being delivered and why their health infrastructure has been sidelined," Mr Palmer said. Mr Yan, who was Shadow Minister for Parks and Rangers at the time, said in August 2024 that 'if elected, [the CLP] will fully fund the program with $12 million over four years.' Meanwhile, at an NT budget estimates hearing last month, it was revealed $300,000 of funding earmarked for a review into police racism had been redirected to legal aid.
The total budget for Corrections in the Northern Territory is now a record $495 million.
Calls for Federal Government to step in The federal government set up the NT land councils in 1976, with statutory powers and functions to support Aboriginal decision-making. NLC Chair Matthew Ryan has called for greater support from the Federal Government to hold the NT Government to account. "We want to call for the federal government and the commonwealth to work with us to deal with the useless policy that is affecting all Aboriginal people," Mr Ryan said. The NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and Minister for Corrections Gerard Maley did not respond to a request for comment. In a statement, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Steve Edgington,said the NT Government is "committed to continuing engagement and consultation with community members and wider stakeholders in regional and remote areas across the Territory".
"We are working together with Aboriginal Peak Organisations (APO NT), which include the four lands councils, on Closing the Gap initiatives."