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SBS Australia
6 days ago
- Politics
- SBS Australia
The Northern Territory's major Aboriginal Land Councils have accused the NT Government of systemic racism
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."
West Australian
08-07-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Beetaloo hits major milestone with NT well gas stimulation
The stimulation campaign included pump rates exceeding 100 barrels per minute, fluid intensities of 52 barrels per foot and proppant intensities averaging 2295 pounds per foot. It also marked the company's first 24-hour continuous stimulation operation, which notably hit more than five stages per day on multiple occasions. With stimulation completed, Beetaloo Energy will now clean out the well bore using coiled tubing, initiate flowback operations and then shut in the well for a soak period ahead of production testing. A 30-day flow test - known as IP30 - is expected to begin mid-August, with results to be released by the end of September. The company holds a 100 per cent interest in its EP187 permit and remains the largest net acreage holder in the basin, with more than 28.9 million acres under licence. Today's development builds upon a flurry of milestones delivered over the past quarter, including a $28 million equity raise completed in May that provided full funding for the Carpentaria-5H stimulation and flow test program. The raise comprised a $27.75 million placement at 16 cents per share and a subsequent share purchase plan targeting a further $3 million. Directors also chipped in a further $250,000, signalling confidence in the company's forward program. Beetaloo Energy also recently secured formal consent from traditional owners to sell gas under the NT's Beneficial Use of Test Gas provisions, clearing a key regulatory hurdle on its path to commercialisation. The Carpentaria gas plant is now fully funded and ready for installation when remaining government approvals are finalised. The facility, which was acquired from AGL, has a nameplate capacity of 42 terajoules (TJ) per day - or 42 trillion joules - and is expected to process gas from Carpentaria-2H, 3H and 5H wells in the pilot phase. The company has already inserted a 'T-piece' connection into the McArthur River gas pipeline, enabling immediate access to infrastructure. A binding 10-year gas sales agreement is in place with the NT Government for up to 25TJ per day, with an option to increase to 35TJ depending on production outcomes. Importantly, the company is also laying the groundwork for future east coast gas supply and has engineering and design work underway with APA Group to evaluate a potential pipeline from the Beetaloo Basin to Queensland. Beetaloo's progress could not come at a more critical time. According to the Australian Energy Market Operator's latest gas statement of opportunities, supply gaps in the east coast market are expected to emerge from 2029 and worsen through the 2030s. The Beetaloo Basin is widely regarded as one of the country's most promising gas plays, with Beetaloo Energy - formerly Empire Energy - having independently certified 1.6 trillion cubic feet of contingent resources and a further 47 trillion cubic feet of prospective gas in place across its acreage. It is also sitting on high calorific gas with an ultra-low carbon dioxide content of less than 1 per cent, making it ideally suited to blending with existing LNG streams to help meet tightening Japanese and Korean import standards. With flow testing of Carpentaria-5H imminent, regulatory approvals in hand, a gas plant ready to install and pipeline partnerships in development, Beetaloo Energy appears closer than ever to unlocking one of Australia's most consequential energy resources. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact:
SBS Australia
10-06-2025
- Business
- SBS Australia
'Serving more than products': Filipino grocery in Northern Territory thrives as a community connection
Filipino migration to Zuccoli increased around 2008, with many arriving on 457 and student visas before becoming permanent residents, creating demand for Filipino goods and services in the growing suburb. Though Ana Santos had prior business experience in the Philippines, she navigated Australia's systems from scratch. Assistance from NT Government programs and legal consultants helped her establish operations. Beyond just selling goods, Santos aims to provide value and community connection for Filipinos. With popular items like vinegar, sardines, and dried fish, and suppliers across Australia and the Philippines, she hopes to expand to other locations in future. SBS Filipino 10/06/2025 08:03 We are here not just to sell, but to give value and serve the Filipino community. Ana Santos, Tindahang Pinoy Hub Owner 📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino
ABC News
24-04-2025
- General
- ABC News
Wakaya-Alyawarre people welcome land hand back after 45-year struggle
Sitting on country in Central Australia, senior Wakaya-Alyawarre traditional owner Eileen Bonney did not think she would see the day her people's land was returned. Ms Bonney is the most senior surviving claimant in one of the Northern Territory's longest running Aboriginal land claims. It was formally resolved last week after more than four decades. Eileen Bonney says she is glad to see the day some of her people's land is returned. ( Supplied: Central Land Council ) "I kept on trying for a long time, kept coming back every meeting — at last we got it," Ms Bonney said. "I got real sick, my kidney no good now. " I didn't think I'd get this land back. " Lodged in 1980 under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, the Wakaya-Alyawarre hand back is the Central Land Council's (CLC) second to last land claim. At a ceremony last Wednesday, the federal government formally handed back about 484,000 hectares of land near Canteen Creek, south east of Tennant Creek, to its rightful custodians. Speaking at the event on Wednesday, CLC chair Warren Williams acknowledged the people who had been instrumental on the "long journey" who had since died. "Traditional owners have waited so long," Mr Williams said. "During its proud 50-year history the Central Land Council has won back more than half the land in the southern part of the territory." Traditional custodians and children celebrate the formal land hand back. ( Supplied: Central Land Council ) 'Happened at last' It took decades of painstaking negotiation, advocacy and legal proceedings before the Wakaya-Alyawarre people could celebrate the milestone. In 1990, traditional owners received two of three small parcels of the claimed area, agreeing to withdraw the township of Canteen Creek from the claim. A map of Wakaya-Alyawarre people's land claim area in Central Australia. ( Supplied: Central Land Council ) But it was not until they agreed to relinquish their native title rights over the Canteen Creek community, in a deal with the NT Government, that a settlement was reached in 2020. The Indigenous Land Use Agreement, which was agreed to by both the traditional owners and the Canteen Creek community, meant residents would receive freehold title to parts of the area. The rest of the claim area would be granted as Aboriginal freehold land under NT's Aboriginal land rights act. Traditional owners fought hard over decades so their families could receive the legacy of their land. ( Supplied: Central Land Council ) In November, when the federal government amended legislation to allow for the title deed to be handed over to the Wakaya-Alyawarre people, Ms Bonney said she was glad to see it settled while she was "still living". "The traditional owners all wanted to get this done for a long time," she said. "Too many of us have died waiting for this day." She said her daughter could now move to their homeland near Canteen Creek. "I am happy to see this settled for my children and all our families," Ms Bonney said. "It's happened at last [and] I'm still here." Marlindirri McCarthy formally handed over the title deed to the land to traditional owners. ( Supplied: Central Land Council ) Historic occasion Minister for Indigenous Australians, Marlindirri McCarthy, and federal member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, were present at the ceremony. Ms McCarthy handed a framed title deed to the land to Ms Bonney to applause from community members. She spoke about her personal connection to land hand back processes in the Northern Territory. "I was only about five or six when I saw the first court case for my families, the Yanyuwa Garrwa people of Borroloola, who were the first under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Land Rights Act to go for land," she said. "It was in a very hostile environment … in the old police station at Boroloola where my elders had to sit and speak in English which was not their first language. "That took us just about the same time, nearly 40 years, before we had our lands turned back." Addressing Ms Bonnney, she said she fought to get the legislation through in parliament. "It was difficult in the senate … we had people opposing us for their own reasons, but I was determined to see this come through because I knew what it would mean to you Aunty and to all these families here." The hand back ceremony celebrated the strength and determination of Wakaya-Alyawarre traditional custodians. ( Supplied: Central Land Council ) CLC chief executive Les Turner said the hand back "honours the determination and strength" of traditional owners. "It's a moment to celebrate and reflect on the sacrifices of those who didn't live to see this day," Mr Turner said. "We recognise their legacy and the leadership of the families who have carried this claim forward."
