https://www.nurrdalinji.org.au/

WHAT: Nurrdalinji Aboriginal Corporation, which represents native title holders from the NT’s Beetaloo Basin who wish to protect country, comments on the draft Territory Co-ordinator Bill released today, designed to side-step environmental and other laws that apply to fracking. Nurrdalinji made a short submission on the leaked consultation paper, in October.

Djingili elder and Chair of Nurrdalinji, Samuel Janama Sandy said, “Our lawyers will take a close look at this new Territory Coordinator Bill, but we’re already suspicious of it. The Territory has ancient history and a unique way of life that we shouldn’t throw away because the gas industry is in a rush to try squeeze some money out of our country.”

“We invite the new interim Territory Coordinator, Mr Knowles, to drive the 530km from Darwin to the Beetaloo Basin to visit our beautiful country which is unique and alive and which we want to protect for our grandchildren.

“Mr Knowles can sleep under the stars and visit Indigenous communities, as well as the hard-working cattle stations where Empire and Tamboran have already created problems with their gas exploration.

“He can see Lake Woods and Longreach Waterhole, near Elliott and Marlinja, and our environment, animals and ecosystems which have been here long before the gas companies and which will be damaged by fracking”.

Photo of Nurrdalinji Chair Samuel Janama Sandy here