Nurrdalinji Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, which represents Traditional Owners with native title interests across the Beetaloo Basin, comment on coverage today of allegations by two NT workers that Tamboran Resources deliberately used toxic drill water for dust suppression, instead of properly disposing of the waste, during drilling of the Maverick 1 exploration well in the NT’s Beetaloo Basin, putting workers’ health and the environment at risk.

The Deputy Chair of Nurrdalinji Native Title Aboriginal Corporation which represents Traditional Owners with native title interests across the Beetaloo Basin is available to comment on Minister Fyles’ Press Club address today and “Facing the North” Canberra delegation. (ABC news, 1 Aug 2023).

Oranges, prams, coins, pedestrians, bikes stop truck in Katherine.

Nurrdalinji Aboriginal Corporation, which represents Traditional Owners from across the Beetaloo Basin, has responded to news that fracking company Tamboran Resources is in the running for a role in the Middle Arm gas export hub by calling on the Albanese government to withdraw its $1.5 billion funding allocation and divert it to improving energy security, housing, health and education in Aboriginal communities (“NT to anoint fracking, hydrogen, battery mineral hopefuls”, AFR, 8 June 2023).

Commenting on ABC 7.30’s coverage last night of pollution incidents from Tamboran’s exploration well on Tanumbirini cattle station in the NT’s Beetaloo Basin, one of which has attracted a financial penalty while another remains under investigation, Traditional Owners have expressed their dismay at risks to their country and, in particular, the sacred Newcastle Creek which runs across the Beetaloo Basin and has sites protected under the NT Sacred Sites Act.

Traditional Owners from the Beetaloo Basin region who oppose fracking on their country today expressed their solidarity with senior Larrakia people who are frustrated by the failure of the Northern Territory government to properly consult with them about the proposed Middle Arm development.

Chief Minister incorrect to say Aboriginal people have veto rights over production.

Commenting on today’s release of the Final Report of the Senate Inquiry into Fracking in the NT’s Beetaloo Basin, Traditional Owners from the region have called for a halt to fracking exploration and production until proper consultation occurs and the combined risks from what will be a major industrialisation of their country are better understood.

Commenting on today’s announcement of amendments agreed between the Federal government and Australian Greens to the Safeguards Mechanism Bill, Traditional Owners from the Beetaloo Basin region have expressed their hope that this will help them to protect their country from the dangerous impacts of fracking.

A secret report, commissioned by the Morrison government but never released, concludes that Traditional Owners from the Beetaloo Basin in the NT are unlikely to make economic, social, cultural or other gains from fracking plans for the region, explaining that “conditions are currently not conducive to strong agreements being negotiated,” contradicting claims by the gas industry that jobs and economic benefits will flow to communities (ABC AM program today).