Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

Inquiry into a Process to Review Bills for their Impact on First Nations Territorians

Membership - Terms of Reference - Discussion Paper - Submissions - Hearings - Report - Contact

Membership

MemberElectorateParty
Ms Marie-Clare Boothby MLABrennanCountry Liberals
Mr Manuel Brown MLA (Deputy Chair)ArafuraTerritory Labor
Mr Steve Edgington MLABarklyCountry Liberals
Ms Lauren Moss MLACasuarinaTerritory Labor
Hon Dheran Young MLA (Chair)DalyTerritory Labor

Terms of Reference

On 17 May 2023 the Assembly resolved:

That the Assembly refers to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, for inquiry and report back to the Assembly by May 2024, a process to review Bills introduced into the Assembly for their impact on First Nations Territorians.

The inquiry should consider, but not be limited to:

  • The preferred body to conduct such a review, such as a statutory body composed of First Nations Territorians, or an Assembly committee advised by First Nations Territorians, and
  • A requirement for a Statement of Compatibility against prescribed measures of self-determination, that will indicate the degree to which the Bill:
    • affirms and enhances the right of the First Nations peoples of the Northern Territory to enjoy, practice and benefit from their traditional law, culture and autonomy;
    • is based on consultation, according to First Nation law and custom, and reflects the principle of free, prior and informed consent;
    • is consistent with the principles underlying the Northern Territory Government's Local Decision Making (LDM) Policy Framework for communities to have control over their own affairs in order to enhance First Nation peoples rights of self-governance;
    • is consistent with the Northern Territory Government's commitments to Closing the Gap;
    • is compatible with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and other international instruments to which Australia is a party, including the right of self-determination in Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Discussion Paper

Discussion Paper - A Process to Review Bills for their Impact on First Nations Territorians - July 2023

Submissions

Submissions are due by 29 September 2023

Submission 1 - Civil Liberties Australia
Submission 2 - Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory
Submission No. 3 - Greg Marks
Submission No. 4 -  Australian Lawyers Alliance
Submission No. 5 - Department of the Attorney-General and Justice
Submission No. 6 - North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency 
Submission No. 7 - Department of Health 
Submission No. 8 - Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission 
Submission No. 9 - Northern and Central Land Councils 
Submission No. 9a - Central Land Council - Supplementary Submission 
Submission No. 10 - Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT 
Submission No. 11 - Yingiya Guyula MLA - Member for Mulka 

Hearings

Public Hearing Schedule Friday 16th  February 2024
Transcript - Public Hearings 16th February 2024
TP1 - Governance Diagram
NT Anti-Discrimination Commission - Answers to Questions Taken on Notice
Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet - Answer to Question Taken on Notice

Public Hearing  Schedule Tuesday 12 March 2024
Transcript - Public Hearings 12 March 2024 

Report

Inquiry into a Process to Review Bills for their Impact on First Nations Territorians - May 2024
Associated Minutes of Proceedings

Contact

Ms Julia Knight
GPO Box 3721
Darwin NT 0801 
Telephone: (08) 8901 4149
Email

Last updated: 23 May 2024