NT government’s plan to amend Sacred Sites Act causing stir in parliament

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The Country Liberal Party’s plan to amend the Sacred Sites Act has been causing stir in parliament, largely fuelled by concerns over a lack of adequate consultation. With tensions running hot, tempers flares over speculation the bill would fast-track a certain Darwin development.

Transcript

00:00A fiery chamber erupting during question time, but the real drama was still to come over

00:10a bill to overhaul the Sacred Sites Act, making it easier to transfer sacred site certificates.

00:17My understanding why they are rushing this bill to make the developer more easier to

00:28get certificates from us.

00:29All sides of Northern Territory politics broadly support updating the Sacred Sites Act, but

00:35the issue is how it's being done.

00:38Critics argue the bill is being rushed through Parliament without genuine consultation and

00:43fear the changes will allow developers to sideline Aboriginal custodians.

00:48When you talk about sacred sites, this is very, very sensitive.

00:51We've heard from some key Larrakia elders that there is a very real concern that the rush

00:56legislation is purely to allow a green light without the proper process and consultation.

01:02One project that could benefit from the amendments is a proposed multi-storey hotel at the Darwin

01:09Waterfront near a sacred site.

01:11In a statement, a spokesperson from the Darwin Waterfront Corporation said it has been working

01:17with the Darwin Convention Centre hotel developers, the Northern Territory government and stakeholders

01:23including Larrakia for many years.

01:26Land councils and traditional owners watching closely for what comes next.

01:31I'll see you next time.

01:32I'll see you next time.

01:33I'll see you next time.

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