NT legislation hits parliament with a thud
The Federal government’s package of legislation aimed at tackling the problems of child abuse in the northern territory, hit parliament today – all 500 pages of it. The government wants it through the lower house by the end of the session tonight and through Senate by the end of the week. But an Indigenous delegation that has traveled to Canberra says the passage of laws is too fast and has failed to take into consideration their concerns. Topping of their list are planned changes land tenure laws, which will allow increased commercial enterprise as well as enable Federal Government administrators to take control of some communities for up to five years. Before we hear from both sides of the debate, here’s how Federal indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough introduced the legislation in parliament today.