Dear Editor,
A leaked discussion paper revealed that the CLP plans laws to grant extraordinary new powers to a newly declared, unaccountable bureaucrat, the Territory Coordinator.
It has also revealed those same powers would be made available to the Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro. These include powers to declare exemptions to the law and to override other decision makers.
The paper goes on to describe functions of the new Territory Coordinator to declare ‘development areas’. This particular invention seems to line up neatly to the proposed petrochemical precinct on the Elizabeth River, also known as the Middle Arm industrial precinct. These same powers would extend to offering similar ‘confidence and certainty’ to fracking pipelines.
Clearly no small plan. And yet the secret discussion paper was only formally shared with select stakeholders.
This CLP scheme is a risky move.
While the proposal claims to pursue streamlined and effective assessment and approvals processes, while avoiding duplicative processes, it could well backfire. A complex agreement between the NT and the Commonwealth already aims to avoid duplicate regulation. Were the Feds to lose confidence in the NT’s regime of oversight and action, this could well lead to NT proponents having to satisfy commonwealth regulators.
Matters and concerns which for decades have been managed by the Territory could be reclaimed by the Commonwealth due to the risk of Ms Finocchiaro issuing an ad-hoc exemption notice. Assessments and decisions which have long been handed to NT ministers and authorities may not be so easily trusted if these new laws allow Ms Finocchiaro to step in and override those decision makers.
It’s also a real political test for the new parliament. The recent election campaign centred on the CLP leader, while shielding a batch of newby candidates from the media.
Now, this new proposal would further tighten Ms Finocchiaro’s control, with an audacity that eclipses former prime minister Scott Morrison’s multiple ministries scandal. Whereas Mr Morrison secretly appointed himself to five ministries, the powers proposed in the leaked discussion paper would give Ms Finocchiaro unprecedented power over any NT ministerial decision, and powers to exempt most NT laws.
An opportunistic survey of some new MLAs suggests they haven’t even followed the media revelations of this startling new proposal, let alone read the paper. Will her 16 colleagues grant Ms Finocchiaro these unprecedented powers without even consulting their electorates?
Is this really the kind of parliament they signed up for?
Justin Tutty, Tiwi
If you want your letter to the editor published send it to ntindependent@protonmail.com. Please include your name, address and phone number for verification. We will only publish your name and suburb or town. We do reserve the right to edit the letter for length and clarity purposes. PRIVACY POLICY: You can find our privacy policy by clicking here.
Well it’s a good start,
but much more needs to be done to free the NT from the shackles of the “Museum NT” clique that would have us happily parasitic on the southern taxpayer teat for eternity.
I recently received an email from a former Territorian now resident in a communist dictatorship, but wanting to come home at some stage.
“It’s a sad paradox, that we have more “freedom” and ability to get things done here in a socialist, single party country”
In the words of the new leader of the once-again free world. Drill Baby, Drill!!
It’s exactly what I signed up for. Enough of these Territory and Federal beaurecrats and 3rd party environmental groups using lawfare and other means to delay projects. Leah must implement this new position without delay. As the previous contributor said “Drill Baby Drill”.