Chief Minister Michael Gunner has attacked anti-fracking groups for “spreading lies” in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic about fly-in, fly-out workers in remote communities.

But for reasons unknown, Mr Gunner and his Resources Minister Paul Kirby, have declined to answer questions and not disclosed that some FIFO mining workers have been granted border exemptions to continue working on Territory mine sites this week.

The Minerals Council NT has confirmed to the NT Independent that the Chief Medical Officer has signed off on newly developed site-specific COVID-19 management plans and procedures earlier this week – which will involve point of origin testing and on-site testing for intra- and inter-state workers.

Fear spreads like a virus when information is withheld. This is why some traditional owners are concerned about the potential for remote communities to become infected.

It would go a long way to allay the concerns of our most vulnerable Territorians if the Gunner Government would officially announce the details of the mining exemptions, as the Western Australian Government already has.

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