Amid widespread criticism from Traditional Owners and the wider community, the Government used its majority in the Senate to pass its controversial amendments to the iconic NT Land Rights Act, rushing through a Bill to pressure Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory into giving up their land for the next century, in exchange for securing basic services (such as housing and schools). With your actions – an extraordinary 25,000 of you signed the petition over the weekend – we brought this issue from the backrooms of the halls of Parliament into the pages of the daily press. Your calls to Senators, your signatures and comments on the petition ensured this Bill could not be snuck through under our noses. The ABC’s 7.30 Report featured GetUp’s Executive Director commenting directly on the way these landmark changes were rammed through the Parliament, with Traditional Owners unaware, or hearing only by chance.
Unlike the first NT Land Rights Act, which was an iconic piece of legislation passed with broad consensus and bipartisan support, this Bill was opposed by all Opposition parties, and lacked the support of indigenous peoples themselves. Even the Government’s own senators were concerned about the lack of debate: three hours of discussion in the House and a one-day Senate inquiry were not nearly enough time to consider legislation that will affect indigenous Australians for generations. Liberal Senators stated in their report they considered “the time made available for this inquiry to be totally inadequate”. And yet still the Government refused to stop and listen — preferring to make policy on the run than do their due diligence and consultation as lawmakers. Now they say they will consult with affected people to explain the legislation. GetUp will be holding the government to this, and will keep you posted with developments as they arise. We will also continue to campaign consistently on Indigenous issues in this coming year