Racism rife in Territory: Land Councils

Four NT land councils meeting in Darwin have accused the Northern Territory government of racism and promoting policies that harm Indigenous people.

Northern Land Council chairman Matthew Ryan told media there was overt racism in government policies.

“Let me be very honest – there is, no buts about it,” he said.

“Unfortunately, it’s still happening. We want to eliminate that, we want a genuine partnership … at the moment there’s none.”

Mr Ryan said Indigenous people wanted to be part of economic development in the Top End, but accused ministers of failing to engage with land councils.

The NT government has toughened bail laws, lowerred the age of criminal responsibility to 10 and locked up more Aboriginal young men since winning election last year.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Steve Edgington said his government refuted the claims.

“We are working in partnership with Aboriginal people to empower communities that want a greater say,” he said.