News & Publications
NLC historic elections on the eve of 50th anniversary
Dec 7, 2022
The NLC made history today with delegates to the 124th Full Council meeting in Katherine voting to re-elect Samuel Bush-Blanasi as NLC Chair for a historic fourth term. Only one other person exceeds Dr Bush-Blanasi’s tenure as Chair of the Northern Land Council, the great Dr Galarrwuy Yunupingu AM.
Northern Land Council condemns ‘sneaky’ Petroleum policy on the run
Nov 29, 2022
The Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 was introduced to the Northern Territory Parliament in mid-October by the Minister for Mining and Industry, Nicole Manison. Information released by the NT Government following the introduction of the bill (Community Bulletin #55) made no reference to changes in relation to so-called ‘appraisal gas’.
Northern Land Council statement on passage of the NT Fisheries Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
Nov 24, 2022
The Northern Land Council welcomes the passage of the Fisheries Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 in the NT Legislative Assembly overnight as the first milestone in the proposed legislative changes.
Critical milestone approaches for Blue Mud Bay
Nov 18, 2022
The end of December 2022 marks a significant milestone implementing the Blue Mud Bay Action Plan following the historic 2008 High Court decision.
NLC Annual Report 2021-22
Nov 10, 2022
The Northern Land Council Annual Report 2021-22 provides a comprehensive account of the Council's performance from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022
Submission to the Commonwealth Inquiry into the Federal election
Nov 10, 2022
At least 14,000 eligible Aboriginal people in the NT aren’t on the electoral roll, and many of those who are on the roll aren’t voting in elections: the division of Lingiari, which covers the whole of the NT outside of Darwin, has the lowest turnout of voters in Australia. With the Voice to Parliament referendum fast approaching, it’s important for Aboriginal Territorians to have their say. The NLC submission proposes a number of actions the Commonwealth Government can take to increase the electoral participation of Aboriginal people in the NT.
‘NLC Chair announced NT Australian of the Year’
Nov 1, 2022
The Northern Land Council congratulates Chair, Samuel Bush-Blanasi, for his award as the 2023 Northern Territory Australian of the Year.
Submission on the NT Parks Masterplan
Oct 17, 2022
The NLC submission on the NT Parks Masterplan urges the Parks and Wildlife Commission to commit to working in partnership with Traditional Owners and Land Councils to improve joint management of the parks estate and deliver long-term ecological, social, cultural and economic benefits for Traditional Owners and other stakeholders. The submission makes recommendations regarding governance, implementation and review of the plan, supporting local Aboriginal employment and economic development, and cultural protection.
‘Racism in the AFL is a shameful betrayal of trust for all Aboriginal Territorians’
Sep 23, 2022
Chairman of the Northern Land Council, Samuel Bush-Blanasi has reflected on the continuing controversies about racist treatment of Aboriginal players in the AFL system.
NLC Corporate Plan 2022-23
Aug 31, 2022
The NLC Corporate Plan provides information about the significant activities which the NLC will undertake over the four years, 2022/23 to 2025/26
Historic meeting of NT Land Councils held on Gurindji country
Aug 26, 2022
The four NT Land Councils held a historic meeting on Gurindji country, on Thursday, 25 August 2022.
Submission on the NT Government’s draft Environment Protection Legislation Amendment (Chain of Responsibility) Bill 2022
Aug 16, 2022
The NLC’s submission on the NT Government’s draft Environment Protection Legislation Amendment (Chain of Responsibility) Bill 2022 supports the introduction of environmental chain of responsibility laws and calls on the government to apply the laws to all industry sectors, not only onshore petroleum. The submission focuses on the mining sector, where applying the laws would help to mitigate the significant risk of further legacy mine sites and their detrimental environmental outcomes.
Read the latest edition of Land Rights News - Northern Edition
Aug 1, 2022
Australia's oldest Aboriginal newspaper, telling stories from remote Aboriginal lands across the Northern Territory.
The NLC looks to local talent and the future with new head office
Jul 21, 2022
The NLC has reached an exciting stage in the development of its new Darwin head office at 29 Julius Street, Berrimah.
Northern Land Council supports NTG call for COVID vigilance – but don’t forget the flu!
Jul 7, 2022
The NLC supports NT Chief Minister's call for increased vigilance in response to the rise in COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the BA4 and BA5 Omicron variants in the NT.
Propelling Traditional Owners into key role in NT’s space industry
Jun 27, 2022
The NLC is proud to support the involvement of Traditional Owners in the NT’s space industry, which reached a historic milestone in late June with Australia’s first commercial space launch.
Submission on the NIAA draft Indigenous Ranger Sector Strategy 2022-2028
Jun 14, 2022
The Northern Land Council (NLC) welcomes this opportunity to provide a submission on the Indigenous Ranger Sector Strategy 2022-2028 - Consultation Draft. We applaud the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) in acting on the need for an overarching, long-term strategy to strengthen this growing industry sector and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to set the direction of the programs, monitor and evaluate their achievements and adaptively manage this maturing industry sector.
Northern Land Council supports PM’s call for an end to voter suppression in the NT
Jun 9, 2022
The Northern Land Council endorses Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s call for a comprehensive review of the recent Federal election in the Northern Territory seat of Lingiari.
‘A great heart’: Vale Sir Gerard Brennan
Jun 2, 2022
The Northern Land Council acknowledges the passing of Sir Gerard Brennan in Sydney on 1 June 2022.
Aboriginal Sea Company to make waves with new Chair and CEO
May 26, 2022
The NLC congratulates Calvin Deveraux as Chairman and Robert ‘Bo’ Carne as CEO of the recently incorporated Aboriginal Sea Company (ASC).
‘Relations off to good start’: NLC welcomes new Albanese government
May 26, 2022
The Northern Land Council is committed to working closely with the new Labor Federal Government to achieve further progress for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Northern Land Council welcomes Hon. Natasha Fyles to role of NT Chief Minister
May 13, 2022
The Northern Land Council welcomes the appointment of the Hon. Natasha Fyles as Chief Minister of the Northern Territory.
Community Planning and Development Newsletter
May 13, 2022
Aboriginal groups continue to work with the NLC’s Community Planning and Development (CP&D) team to drive their own development. Through the CP&D Program Aboriginal groups use their land use agreement income to do projects that bring lasting community benefit.
NLC thanks NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner for his service
May 11, 2022
Following his budget speech yesterday and news of his resignation, the NLC takes this opportunity to pay gratitude to the NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner for his service to the NT and Aboriginal Territorians in particular.
Historic Milestone for NT Aboriginal Investment Corporation
May 3, 2022
The Interim Board of the NT Aboriginal Investment Corporation (NTAIC) met for the first time on 27-28 April in Darwin.
Read the latest Land Rights News -Northern Edition
Apr 13, 2022
Australia's oldest Aboriginal newspaper, telling stories from remote Aboriginal lands across the Northern Territory.
NLC calls for a fair go for Aboriginal Territorians at the 2022 election: ‘Stop discriminating against us because of where we live!’
Apr 8, 2022
This week the Northern Land Council released the latest short film in its months-long campaign to encourage Aboriginal Territorians to enrol to vote and to raise awareness about the failure by the Australian Electoral Commission (the AEC) to ensure people living in remote Aboriginal communities and homelands get on the electoral roll.
The NLC pays tribute to outgoing Central Land Council chairman Sammy Wilson and deputy chairwoman Barb Shaw
Apr 7, 2022
The Northern Land Council welcomes the news of the election of Mr Robert Hoosan as Central Land Council chair and Warren Williams as deputy chair at the CLC’s meeting at Tennant Creek yesterday.