TO’s, environmental groups condemn ‘authoritarian’ proposed powers for Territory Coordinator

Traditional owners and environmentalists condemn sweeping proposed powers which could green light controversial industrial projects.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has denied the CLP kept secret a plan to grant itself significant “escalatory powers” through the Territory Coordinator. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

An unelected bureaucrat tasked with kickstarting the Territory economy could overrule the voices of traditional owners and communities if granted sweeping “anti-democratic” powers.

A leaked consultation paper has revealed the government’s plans to grant itself significant “escalatory powers” through the Territory Coordinator, including the power to override watchdog agencies and “exempt” major projects from certain Acts.

There are concerns the powers will allow major industrial and agricultural projects to sidestep legislative checks and balances, against the wishes of impacted communities, environmental groups and traditional owners.

Northern Land Council chair Matthew Ryan said he was concerned that proposal put too much power in one unelected person’s hands. Photo: Wayne O’Donoghue

Northern Land Council chair Matthew Ryan said he was concerned the proposal put too much power in one unelected person’s hands.

“Our people, across the seven regions, want to see the big decisions that impact us all made safely with real community consultation – not just rushed through this appointed boss,” Mr Ryan said.

“The Top End is already littered with damaging projects that didn’t have the proper regulatory processes, from Redbank to Rum Jungle.”

NLC Chair Matthew Ryan visits the old Redbank copper mine site with Traditional Custodian and Junggai Keith Rory to survey damage to Country, including leaking pits. Picture: Supplied/ Northern Land Council

He said what the Territory needed was transparent and properly resourced regulatory bodies “instead of more shortcuts behind closed doors”.

One of the Central Australian major projects that could be impacted is Singleton Station, an intensive irrigated horticultural project in the arid lands near Ali Curung.

Traditional owners have opposing the record-breaking water licence, which over its 10-year lifespan could extract the equivalent of two Sydney Harbour’s worth of water.

Kaytetye Warlpiri woman Maureen Jipiyiliya Nampijinpa O'Keefe was born and raised in Ali Curung. Picture: Supplied / Arid Lands Centre

Arid Lands Environment Centre fear the proposed powers could be used to overrule the project’s Environment Impact Statement.

“It will not benefit the community, we are the ones that suffer on the land, we have been suffering too much,” Kaytetye Warlpiri woman Maureen Jipiyiliya Nampijinpa O’Keefe said.

While Nurrdalinji Aboriginal Corporation said the step in and exemption powers could have a profound impact on onshore gas projects in the Beetaloo Basin.

“We need to protect our water, our plants and animals and governments need time to make sure projects won’t do damage,” NAC chair and Djingili Elder Samuel Janama Sandy said.

Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne said he would ensure there “is a structured environmental protection policy in place going forward”. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

When asked about fracking in parliament, Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne said he would ensure there “is a structured environmental protection policy in place going forward”.

However anti-fracking advocate Pete Callender said granting these powers to an unelected bureaucrat would undermine the Territory’s “already substandard” environmental protections.

“(It) would provide the government of the day with unprecedented and unwarranted ability to override community and environmental concerns,” the Frack Free NT spokesman said.

“(It’s) bordering on authoritarian.”

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro denied that feedback on the controversial ‘exemption’ power was conducted in “secret”, saying a “targeted consultation” was released to peak industry groups, land councils, local government, Environment Protection Authority, Controller of Water Resources and the Heritage Council.

Ms Finocchiaro accused the opposition of “throwing mud” at the CLP’s “jewel in the crown” of its economic election commitments.

“We are gearing up to kick start economic growth and the Territory Coordinator will play a key role in that,” she said.

Environment Centre of the Northern Territory executive director Kirsty Howey. Picture: Zizi Averill

While the CLP’s 2020 Territory Coordinator Bill did outline the ‘step in’ powers, the proposal did not grant the power to exempt major projects from specific regulations.

Environment Centre of the NT executive director Kirsty Howey said voters should have been told about the controversial exemption powers.

Originally published as TO’s, environmental groups condemn ‘authoritarian’ proposed powers for Territory Coordinator