Statement on the Second Anniversary of the Referendum
Chansey Paech
Today marks the second anniversary of the referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution, and of the Uluru Statement from the Heart a powerful invitation to the Australian people to walk together toward a better future grounded in truth, justice, and self-determination.
Statement on the Second Anniversary of the Referendum
Today marks the second anniversary of the referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution, and of the Uluru Statement from the Heart a powerful invitation to the Australian people to walk together toward a better future grounded in truth, justice, and self-determination.
On this anniversary, I acknowledge the strength, wisdom, and generosity of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who came together to shape the Uluru Statement. Their work and vision continue to guide our nation toward meaningful and lasting change.
I also want to acknowledge, recognise, and thank the thousands of non-Indigenous Australians who supported, rallied, and voted for the Uluru Statement. Your courage was nothing short of remarkable, and we are forever grateful.
There is no room for hate in my heart. To the thousands of Australians who did not vote for the Voice, I acknowledge that there is still much work to be done in building stronger and more genuine relationships that help us understand and address our differences.
While the past two years have seen important conversations and some progress, we know there is still much more to do. The Uluru Statement is far from complete its remaining pillars of Truth-telling and Makarata (Treaty) remain essential to healing our nation and building a shared understanding of our history.
We must continue to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are at the centre of driving solutions and leading reform. Real progress will only come when communities have the power, the voice, and the resources to shape the decisions that affect their lives.
The journey toward Voice, Treaty, and Truth continues. Let this anniversary remind us of our collective responsibility to keep walking together with courage, respect, and hope to build a more just and united Australia.
We cannot expect things to change for the better if we do not allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to have a greater say and a stronger voice in matters that affect their lives.
As Aboriginal people, we need a seat at the table, not to be on the menu.
Since the CLP closed the Alice Springs detention centre, I’ve heard firsthand accounts from Aboriginal families of children being ripped from the streets, arrested without warning, and shipped off to Darwin without so much as a word to the families
STATEMENT CLP’s DFSV Plan Falls Short of What Territorians Deserve 25/11/2025 Today, at the very start of the 16 Days of Action, the CLP Government has released a “roadmap” that falls well short of strengthening the sector or protecting women and children. The Northern Territory’s domestic, family and sexual violence sector is in real crisis. Frontline services are doing everything they can, but they are being forced to turn away women and children seeking help. That should never happen in the Northern Territory. We have only two men’s behaviour-change programs in the whole NT. We have some of the worst FDV rates in the world. And yet the best this Government can offer is a Canva plan on a page. That’s not a strategy it’s a slogan. The Coroner’s recommendations have been de-identified to the point of being invisible. Primary prevention funding is being wound back. It makes no sense when we know real change starts with prevention, with community, and with properly looking after one another. The community was clear: government programs should receive funding only after independent monitoring and evaluation. That has not occurred. Instead, the majority of money has flowed back into government programs, while community-led initiatives the ones closest to the ground have missed out. The strategy also fails to deliver meaningful prevention and accountability measures. It overlooks intergenerational trauma, child abuse recovery, the socioeconomic drivers of DFSV, coercive control, and the commercial determinants such as alcohol. It contains no robust, independent monitoring and evaluation. Eighteen per cent of the $36 million has been directed to Circuit Breaker a program with no child-specialist DFSV components, no public data on outcomes, and no documented theory of change. No new remote locations have been identified for specialist co-responder services. And the strategy fails to embed cultural and therapeutic specialist DFSV advice in our courts — work currently reliant on Commonwealth NPA funding for 500 workers, which ends in June 2025. Territorians deserve a DFSV strategy built on evidence, transparency and genuine community partnership not a glossy page. Our women, our children, our families and our frontline workers deserve better. It’s time for a serious, properly funded, community-driven response that reflects the scale of this crisis What we need is to elevate, support and fund our frontline services – needs based funding is needed now.
The CLP’s so-called "decisive action" on youth justice does nothing more than guarantee future generations of Territorians will be impacted by worsening crime rates.
A Bill to be introduced into Parliament today offers greater protections to victim survivors of domestic and family violence. Announced by Attorney General and Minister for Justice Chansey Paech, and Minister for Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Kate Worden, the proposed reforms in the Justice Legislation Amendment (Domestic and Family Violence) Bill 2023 include: clearer and stronger powers for police and courts; broader definitions of domestic violence, and domestic and family relationships ; increased accountability for domestic and family violence offenders; stronger provisions to consider the safety and wellbeing of children; measures to address coercive control in alignment with national principles; and improved access to information-sharing practices in the justice system. The Bill - guided by the Northern Territory’s Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Reduction Framework 2018-2028: Safe, Respected and Free from Violence - follows an extensive review of the legislation and justice responses to domestic and family violence, and consultation with the sector and support services. Around $55 million per year is invested into the Territory’s domestic, family, and sexual violence response. Quotes attributable to Attorney General and Minister for Justice Chansey Paech: “The Territory Labor Government is proposing a raft of legislative reforms that prioritise the safety of Territorians and modernise our legislation. “These laws, to be debated during Parliamentary Sittings in November, will improve justice responses for victim survivors of domestic and family violence and provide stronger measures to hold offenders to account.” Quotes attributable to Minister for Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Kate Worden: “The rate of domestic and family violence in the Northern Territory is three times higher than the national average. That’s completely unacceptable and it’s why our Government is planning stronger protections for our victim survivors.” “Through these proposed reforms, the Territory Labor Government continues to demonstrate our long-term, sustained commitment to addressing domestic, family and sexual violence.” Media Contact: Jasmin Afianos - 0419 361 127
Arts organisations across the NT will have the stability to plan, develop and showcase arts programs and services, thanks to a $23 million investment from the Territory Labor Government. Applications are now open as part of the Arts Grants Program which offers funding for five years from 2025-2029. Grants of up to $250,000 per year are available for established arts organisations under the Leading Arts Organisation category; and up to $50,000 per year for small arts organisations under the Key Arts Organisation category. The funding is available to arts organisations that have a track record of delivering innovative projects and high-quality arts programs and services. Government partnerships with arts organisations are important to the Territory’s social and cultural future because they help to empower artists; amplify the impact of the arts; and foster innovation, creativity, and collaboration. Investing in the arts is also valuable to the NT economy with 23 arts organisations currently funded under the five-year program. This provides employment to more than 3000 artists and creatives, and delivers programs and services to around two million people. For more information visit here . Quotes attributable to Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech: “The Territory Labor Government recognises the crucial role that arts organisations play in fostering creativity, diversity, and cultural expression. “As key partners in the arts sector, these organisations deliver arts programs and services to ensure all Territorians can learn, create and thrive through the arts. “Our Government is proud to invest in arts and cultural programs that ensure all Territorians can participate in innovative and compelling arts and cultural experiences.” Media Contact: Jasmin Afianos - 0419 361 127
The Northern Territory’s flagship National Aboriginal Art Gallery is one step closer with concept designs released. Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech and National Reference Group co-chair Franchesca Cubillo unveiled the designs by BVN Architecture and local architects Susan Dugdale & Associates. The Territory Labor Government has invested $69 million to develop the new National Aboriginal Art Gallery to be located in Alice Springs (Mparntwe). The Australian Government has invested a further $80 million into the project. The Northern Territory is world renowned for its rich Aboriginal cultural history and the modern, state of the art Gallery will exclusively house First Nations artwork. The gallery will showcase the stories and artwork of one of the world’s oldest continuous cultures, brought together under one roof in the spiritual heart of the nation and the birthplace of contemporary Aboriginal art. Features of the gallery include a cultural welcoming circle, top floor event space with spectacular views, healing gardens, ground floor cafe, Kwatye (water) Play and an impressive four-level atrium. It will provide opportunities for local participation in arts programs, events and festivals, ensuring the gallery serves as a vibrant hub for the community. The project will create economic benefits to the community with up to 260 full time jobs created during construction and once operational, is expected to attract visitors from around Australia and the world. Concept designs will now be refined and prepared for a construction tender process later this year. The National Aboriginal Art Gallery project team will be holding project and design information sessions throughout August and September 2023. To view the concept designs and to find out more see here . Quotes attributable to Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech: “The gallery overlooks the picturesque Lhere Mparntwe and its design embodies a profound connection to Country. “The gallery will stand as an iconic architectural statement driving tourism, enhancing liveability, and providing social and economic benefits, creating a lasting positive impact.” Quotes attributable to National Aboriginal Art Gallery Reference Group Co-Chair Franchesca Cubillo: “This remarkable gallery shines a spotlight on the beauty, power and importance of Aboriginal art and provides a unique space in which to preserve First Nations peoples’ storytelling and share their timeless stories through art and culture." “I’m proud to see the gallery come to life, a visual masterpiece that will strengthen the public recognition of Aboriginal art and pay tribute to the valuable contribution it has made in shaping our cultural identity.” Photos: Concept designs of the planned National Aboriginal Art Gallery. Media Contact: Jasmin Afianos - 0419 361 127
Palya, werte, ngutja, hello! Welcome to our July edition of Gwoja News.
Rebuilds and Repairs in Top End Flood-Affected Communities
Territory Labor addresses the Housing Shortages Outbush
Having the power to make decisions about what happens in your community is critical. It's why we are partnering with Aboriginal communities to transition government services and programs back into the hands of the community.
