Northern Territory Parliament sittings to start - here’s what’s likely to happen

The Northern Territory’s MPs return to work as the Top End Parliament sitting period begins. Here’s what to expect.

Michael Gunner and Natasha Fyles during the 2020-2021 Northern Territory budget. Picture: Che Chorley

THE NT Parliament is set for a big week as the government hits the middle of its term.

The half-way point in a government’s term is often when controversial reforms appear.

Labor is set to pass laws giving watchdogs unfettered access to places of detention, including jails, police watch houses and inpatient settings.

The amendments are part of a national push to update laws that prevent torture ahead of the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture’s visits from October 16 to 27.

The government will also introduce core reforms to the Anti-Discrimination Act after consultation earlier this year.

It is expected the Opposition will support both these bills without further amendments.

“Our government, our shadows in those spaces, have had the relevant meetings (and) relevant briefings and we will be supporting those bills,” Opposition Whip Josh Burgoyne said.

The Opposition meanwhile intends to introduce legislation ensuring Territorians cannot be gouged for fuel.

“(Our bill) proposes to show what the profit margins are for individual fuel businesses,” Mr Burgoyne said.

“By showing the profit margin, we’ll be able to see whether petrol retailers are gouging Territorians or whether, as they always say, it really is the price of freight for fuel prices remaining so high.”

Independents, the Opposition and government are understood to be preparing for significant discussion later in the week around the Territory’s justice system with all indicating key reforms to be debated.

Tabled papers issued in September, subject to change, show various members will raise concerns with policing, crime rates and antisocial behaviour.