2025-02-11
Background
The Finocchiaro CLP Government has announced they will cease taxpayer funded support for the Environment Centre NT (ECNT) and the Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC). This will see $100,000 per year cut from both organisations. This follows a similar announcement for the Environmental Defender’s Office in late 2024. These organisations play a critical role in advocating for our environment, water and communities.
Quotes attributable to Kat McNamara, Member for Nightcliff
"It’s a dark day for the Territory. The ECNT and ALEC are integral parts of the NT community."
"The concerning thing we are seeing is the CLP dismantling any opposition to their power."
"The CLP wants to talk about restoring our beautiful NT lifestyle and the ability to enjoy the outdoors; if we want to be able to enjoy the environment we need people advocating to protect it and that's exactly what the ECNT and ALEC do."
“These two organisations are part of community grassroots movements across the NT that have existed for a long time. People across the NT are very concerned about the ongoing threats to our environment and need these vital organisations to help enable their advocacy, as is their right under a healthy democracy."
Quotes attributable to Jonathan Parry, Convenor
“The NT Greens condemn the CLP Government’s ongoing attempts to dismantle checks on their power and cripple environmental advocacy groups.”
“In the same week they intend to remove review processes from petroleum, planning and water laws, they have stripped funding from the organisations designed to protect and educate the public on those very laws!”
“The CLP Government is on an authoritarian rampage against our environment. This is a dark day for the Territory."