The Finocchiaro CLP Government has today passed the Attorney-General's Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 in Parliament, tightening restrictions on dangerous drugs.
The Bill also provides additional important amendments to enhance efficiencies across our legal landscape.
It classifies dangerous drugs such as Fentanyl as a 'Schedule 1' drug, ensuring tougher penalties apply for the sale and supply of a commercial quantity, which now attracts a maximum sentence of 25 years.
Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby said the amendment was essential for the safety of Territorians and deterring the spread of Fentanyl in the community.
"Those who supply dangerous drugs such as Fentanyl will now face a maximum penalty of more than two decades behind bars," said Ms Boothby.
"Community safety is our top priority, and with the recent announcement of deadly synthetic opioids being found in the Northern Territory, our change to classify dangerous drugs such as Fentanyl as a Schedule 1 drug come at a critical time.
"This amendment is important because Fentanyl is a very potent drug with a very high rate of overdose, and we are ensuring those who break the law by supplying harmful substances in our community are held accountable."
Ms Boothby said this 'tidy-up' Bill also amended additional small but important issues across several Acts in the Attorney-General's portfolio to modernise laws and to ensure they met community expectations.
"While Labor neglected our justice system and let these issues pile up, we're fixing them head on," said Ms Boothby.
"Unlike Labor, we will not accept the status quo; we are committed to making changes to restore law and order and create a modern and efficient legal system."
Additional key reforms include:
Boosting business efficiency: Support the rollout of e-Conveyancing, a modernised digital process to streamline property transactions and cut unnecessary paperwork for those purchasing a property.Supporting vulnerable Territorians: Allowing the senior decision-maker in the legal and health sectors to delegate authority, ensuring timelier and more practical outcomes for Territorians with impaired decision-making capacity.Enhancing accountability: Ensuring current practises of obtaining a National Police Check are maintained for Justices of the Peace or Commissioner for Oaths, to ensure only fit and proper individuals hold these positions.Promoting fairness in the legal system: Ensuring it is clear successful parties in the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT) can recover basic costs associated with filing and serving required documents.
"We promised Territorians a year of action, certainty and security, and the amendments in this Bill are another important step as we continue reforming our justice system and delivering on our commitment to reducing crime," said Ms Boothby.
"These changes come on the back of us investing a record $1.5 billion into law and order in the 2025/26 NT Budget."
