On February 11, the Northern Territory’s Country Liberal Party (CLP) announced they will cut funding to the Environment Centre NT (ECNT) and the Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC). These organizations have played a crucial role in protecting the environment and advocating for the communities in the area for many years.
Hannah Ekin, an anti-fracking campaigner from ALEC, expressed her concerns, stating, “This government is making it harder for us to do our job. Cutting our funding won’t stop us from fighting for our communities and the environment.” She noted that the community must have legal avenues to challenge harmful decisions, especially those that could benefit fracking companies without proper scrutiny.
Additionally, the CLP is looking to limit how community groups can question environmental decisions. Ekin emphasized how important it is for the public to have a voice in these matters that directly affect their lives.
There are also plans for a new role called Territory Coordinator. This position could allow the government to bypass existing environmental and social laws, especially regarding gas development projects. Such moves are seen as a way to fast-track controversial projects.
On another front, the CLP is taking steps to privatize prisons. The upcoming Correctional Services Legislative Amendment Bill 2025 could allow private firms to bring in untrained staff, which worries many who see potential risks. Minister for Corrections Gerard Maley justified these reforms by citing a rise in prisoner numbers.
Recent changes by the CLP, including lowering the criminal responsibility age from 12 to 10, have led to a record increase in the prison population. Independent member Yingiya Guyula has raised his concerns about the treatment of prisoners to the United Nations, highlighting the degrading conditions in NT prisons.
Mitch Rose from the group Justice Not Jails also voiced his alarm. He believes that placing unskilled workers in these sensitive environments could worsen conditions for both young people and staff. He noted that effective rehabilitation needs qualified personnel who understand the intricate needs of young individuals in the justice system.
The CLP’s approach continues to draw criticism, especially concerning First Nations families. Plans to allow courts more discretion in child protection matters could undermine the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle, which is essential for keeping children connected to their culture and families. Nyikina woman Natalie Hunter remarked that the CLP appears uninterested in supporting families within the child protection system.
Furthermore, the CLP plans to remove the minimum price for alcohol, raising alarms among health professionals and community organizations. They fear this will perpetuate issues related to alcohol misuse and violence.
