News & Publications
Federal Court decision welcomed
May 23, 2023
The Northern Land Council welcomes the decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court, paving the way for the Gove Peninsula Yolŋu native title case and associated compensation claim to be heard.
NLC Chair awarded Honorary Doctorate
May 23, 2023
The Northern Land Council congratulates Dr Samuel Bush-Blanasi on the awarding of his well-deserved Honorary Doctor of Letters (honoris causa).
Yunupingu honoured as a man of action who spoke truth to power
May 22, 2023
The Northern Land Council today honoured Yunupingu as a fierce fighter for land and sea rights, the Land Council, and for Aboriginal people across Australia.
NLC welcome much needed investment in National Parks
Apr 26, 2023
The Commonwealth Government’s announcement in the 2023-24 Budget of $262.3 million additional funding for Australia’s national parks has been warmly welcomed by the Northern Land Council.
Nation mourns loss of great leader
Apr 3, 2023
Today we mourn the loss of a great leader, statesman, and father. On behalf of past and present Members and staff, the Chair of the Northern Land Council, Dr Samuel Bush-Blanasi, offered his sincere condolences to Mr Yunupingu’s family.
Repairing nature means Caring for Country
Mar 29, 2023
The Chair of the Northern Land Council, Dr Samuel Bush-Blanasi, today welcomed the introduction of legislation into the Commonwealth Parliament to establish a ‘nature repair’ market.
“Enough is enough” – legal proceedings launched to challenge decision to permit more land clearing at Auvergne Station
Feb 13, 2023
Legal proceedings were commenced on Friday 10 February 2023 in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, challenging a decision made on 25 November 2022 by a delegate of the Pastoral Land Board to grant a permit to clear native vegetation over at least 923 hectares of land at Auvergne Station.
The NLC’s new Darwin office precinct reaches critical milestone
Dec 20, 2022
The development of the Northern Land Councils (NLC’s) new Darwin office precinct has reached a critical milestone, marking 50% design completion.
New arrangements for recreational fishing from 1 January 2023
Dec 8, 2022
Earlier today the Full Council of the Northern Land Council agreed to updated access arrangements for recreational fishers wanting to access waters overlying Aboriginal land from 1 January 2023.
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 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.
‘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.
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.
Celebrating 10 years of successful two-way education
Aug 9, 2022
More than a hundred remote middle and senior school students, teachers, principals, rangers and coordinators from across the Northern Territory have come together (9th to 11th August) at Nitmiluk National Park to celebrate 10 years of the Learning on Country Program.
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.
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.
‘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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Project Sea Dragon setback ‘disappointing’ but native title holders will still benefit
Apr 5, 2022
The recent announcement by Seafarms that plans for the world's largest prawn farm on Legune Station in the NT have been delayed is disappointing, but not the end of the road for native title holders, according to NLC CEO Joe Martin-Jard.
Aboriginal lawyer Shekira Cardona’s admission to practice brings passion for change to the NLC
Mar 29, 2022
The Northern Land Council welcomes the admission of Shekira Cardona to the roll of legal practitioners of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory.
Traditional Owners celebrate the handback of Urapunga township and Old Elsey Homestead site
Mar 25, 2022
On behalf of the Traditional Owners, the Northern Land Council welcomes the resolution of two land claims in the Roper River region of the Northern Territory.
‘45 years of unfinished business’ resolved with handback of land at Kakadu
Mar 25, 2022
Traditional Owners of the land in the Kakadu region celebrated the return of their ancestral lands to their control following the delivery of the Deeds of Title to large tracts of the Kakadu National Park by the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon. Ken Wyatt AM MP.
NLC Biosecurity Zones end at midnight, 3 March 2022
Mar 3, 2022
The Northern Land Council notes the decision by the Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments not to extend the Biosecurity Zones across the NLC area.
History made with Aboriginal Sea Company incorporation
Feb 25, 2022
On Friday 18 February 2022, the Aboriginal Sea Company (ASC) was incorporated, marking a major milestone in the historic Blue Mud Bay settlement.
“Boh boh comrade!” NLC pays tribute to a loyal servant of the NT, The Hon Warren Snowdon MP, Member for Lingiari
Feb 17, 2022
Following his valedictory speech in Canberra yesterday the Northern Land Council takes this opportunity to thank the member for Lingiari, the Honourable Warren Snowdon MP, for his loyal service to the Northern Territory, and Aboriginal Territorians in particular, for over 30 years representing our interests in Canberra.
Biosecurity Zones extended across the NLC area
Feb 17, 2022
The NLC welcomes the advice from the Commonwealth Health Department that the Biosecurity Zones established across the NLC area will be extended for a further two weeks to 3 March 2022.
Northern Land Council congratulates Indigenous carbon industry collaboration and leadership by Top End innovators
Feb 15, 2022
The NLC congratulates everyone involved in the Savanna Fire Forum that commenced in Darwin today that will be followed by the inaugural National Indigenous Carbon Forum tomorrow.
‘A great day!’ – NLC welcomes the historic appointment of Ms Jody Broun as NIAA CEO
Feb 15, 2022
The Northern Land Council welcomes Ms Jody Broun’s appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
Biosecurity Zones COVID-19 Exemption Form
Feb 3, 2022
From 3 February 2022 a person wishing to travel to or from an Aboriginal land/community area which is both within the designated area specified in the determination and in the NLC region will need to have an Exemption Form.
