2025-06-27
Background
There are currently no enforceable drinking water quality standards throughout the Northern Territory. People living in many remote communities have no right to clean drinking water and no mechanisms to seek improvements to drinking water quality.
In estimates the Health Minister Steve Edgington revealed that the CLP government is not continuing work started by the previous Labor government to develop a safe drinking water act.
The NT Greens call on the government to urgently recommence work with the Department of Health to develop a clear and enforceable regulatory framework that guarantees a right to clean drinking water and has mechanisms in place for action if water quality standards are not met. We also call on the federal government to work with the NT Government to ensure that every person living in the NT is guaranteed this most fundamental human right.
Quotes attributable to Jonathan Parry, Convenor of the NT Greens
“Access to safe, clean and adequate drinking water is a fundamental human right. It is a national shame that this is not upheld in the Northern Territory”
“The town you live in shouldn’t determine whether you get access to safe drinking water.”
“We call on the government to enshrine the rights of all Territorians to clean drinking water in law.”