Gerry Wood calls for scrapped scrutiny committee to act as NT Indigenous Voice

A former independent MLA said a scrutiny committee, which Labor scrapped, could be reinstated and act as the Territory’s own Indigenous Voice among other things.

The Territory government could effectively establish its own Indigenous voice “right now” by reviving a scrutiny committee it scrapped three years ago, a long-serving former independent MLA has suggested.

It comes after independent member for Mulka Yingiya (Mark) Guyula successfully moved a motion for “a process to review bills introduced to the assembly for their impact on First Nations Territorians”.

The Legal and Constitutional Affairs committee will report back to parliament on the motion by May next year.

However Gerry Wood, who was the independent Nelson MLA for almost twenty years, said Labor could make Mr Guyula’s idea happen simply by immediately reintroducing the Legislative Scrutiny Committee.

The former independent Nelson MLA Gerry Wood said the scrapped Legislative Scrutiny Committee could at least partially realise Mr Guyula’s idea. Picture: Justin Kennedy

He said it would be quicker and more effective than wading through the likely years-long process of setting up a new committee to specifically advise on Aboriginal affairs.

“That scrutiny committee could do what Mr Guyula is looking for,” he said.

“The only difference is it wouldn’t just be for one group of Territorians.”

Mr Wood said the Legislative Scrutiny Committee held public meetings allowing people to “have a say” on legislation before the Gunner government scrapped the committee following its 2020 election win.

Queensland’s unicameral (single-house) parliament currently has seven committees designed to scrutinise legislation and Mr Wood said the NT’s should have at least one such committee.

“Maybe Mr Guyula could be the independent chair of the (revived) committee but knowing Labor, don’t hold your breath,” he said.

“An independent chair for them would be unthinkable.”

The CLP’s Barkly MLA Steve Edgington, in his response to Mr Mulka’s motion on Wednesday, also urged the chamber to draw on its history.

Barkly MLA Steve Edgington said the CLP supported Mr Guyula’s motion but suggested there were other ways First Nations voices could be heard. Photograph: Che Chorley

“(Labor) may remember a document they produced back in 2016, called Restoring Integrity to Government, Trust and Integrity Reform,” he said.

“A number of statements in the Restoring Integrity to Government document are relevant to our discussion … including the section entitled Opening Parliament to the People.

“One of the suggestions in that paper was that Labor would trial citizens’ panels to develop and analyse government policy.

“Citizen panels never happened … however, what we did have for a short period of time was legislative scrutiny committees.”

Mr Edgington said the social and economic policy scrutiny committees operated for a short time before they were condensed into the Legislative Scrutiny Committee.

“Those committees held hearings and delivered reports on 33 separate Bills,” he said.

“They called for submissions from all Territorians, held public hearings and provided a true opportunity for the public to share their views on how proposed legislation would affect them.”

Mr Edgington said when Labor scrapped the committee it effectively “shut down scrutiny of their government”.

Yingiya (Mark) Guyula has successfully kick started a process that could see an advisory body established that would provide advice on NT legislation impacting Aboriginal people. Picture: Che Chorley

However unlike these committees, which were made up of MLAs, Mr Guyula’s proposal could involve a statutory body composed of Indigenous Territorians.

He specifically called for it to convey the views of “independent voices from the grassroots”.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles threw her party’s full support behind Mr Guyula’s motion, saying it aligned with existing local decision-making policy.

“By actively involving Aboriginal Territorians in the decision-making process, we tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience that can guide us to more effective policies,” she said.

“We are a government who believes in local decision making and providing a voice for all.

“It was the Territory Labor government that developed and implemented the local decision-making policy in 2018 … (which) provides a 10-year road map for consultation and implementation.

“There are 11 LDM agreements in place … there are over 20 more under agreement.

“It is about supporting communities to reach their aspirations whether it is healthcare, schools, the justice system or housing – whatever that community decides, we will partner with them.”

Originally published as Gerry Wood calls for scrapped scrutiny committee to act as NT Indigenous Voice