00:00For years, there were no rules governing how much water can be sustainably pumped from
00:08the aquifer that feeds two iconic rivers, the Daly and the Roper, and the government
00:14has been heavily pushing water-thirsty development.
00:18It's very clear that we have a thoroughly compromised and broken system of land and
00:23water management in the Northern Territory.
00:26Freedom of Information documents shared with the ABC reveal Eva Lawler, the Northern Territory's
00:31current Chief Minister, approved the allocation plan without a Water Advisory Committee, which
00:38would have provided critical advice, while the Environment Minister was on holiday and
00:43taking only two days to consider the implications.
00:47I don't think two days is a rush.
00:49That gave me plenty of time if I have a briefing to be able to read a report and respond to
00:54that report.
00:55How can you have the biggest water allocation in the Territory's history being signed off
01:00by a Minister in an acting capacity in less than two business days?
01:05It beggars belief and it really raises some very serious questions about the nature of
01:12decision making in the Northern Territory.
01:14The Ministerial Brief runs almost 100 pages and is marked high priority.
01:20It includes references to concerns from environmental groups over water mining for fracking in the
01:25Beetaloo Basin, a letter from the powerful Northern and Central Land Councils stating
01:30issues need to be resolved before they can support the plan, and concerns over the lack
01:35of a Water Advisory Committee.
01:38Despite this, Eva Lawler defended her decision this week.
01:42Just be clear, I was the Environment Minister, I think probably for three or four years,
01:45so have had lots of briefings, lots of understanding of the issues around water as well.
01:52Despite the assurances, environmental groups are questioning the NT Government's management
01:57of water in the face of big business.
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