The Finocchiaro CLP Government has tonight in Parliament passed the Water Amendment (Aboriginal Water Reserves) Bill 2025.
The amendments to the Water Act 1992 (the Act) provide greater clarity in the operation of the Act and support activation of Aboriginal water reserves for the economic benefit of Aboriginal people and the Territory.
Specifically, the Bill will do three key things:
It makes clear the land that is eligible for designation to an Aboriginal Water Reserve under a water allocation plan.Removes the duplication of consultation processes already undertaken as part of the development of water allocation plans that have created a distraction to the water allocation planning processes.Removes the requirement to establish regulations that prescribe the class of people who can give consent, and the process that must be followed, which enables eligible Aboriginal landowners the autonomy to determine how and who gives consent for a person to apply for a licence from a reserve.
Minister for Water Resources Joshua Burgoyne said there was about 60,000 megalitres of water in the Aboriginal Water Reserve available across the Territory.
"To date, none of this water has been activated," said Mr Burgoyne.
"For too long, access to the Aboriginal Water Reserve has been held back by unclear and confusing legislation, and because the former Labor government was unable to find a solution to a problem of its own creation.
"Water is an enabler for economic development. We use it for agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, for mining and for onshore gas developments.
"If we are to grow our Territory economy, we must ensure that water made available for economic benefits is used.
"Our government promised this year would be a year of action, certainty and security for the Territory and that's what we are delivering."
The amendments place the decision making for applications for a water extraction licence, with respect of an Aboriginal Water Reserve, in the hands of Aboriginal people.
"These amendments create an environment that ensures Aboriginal landowners can take advantage of available economic benefits when the opportunity arises, and when they are ready to do so," said Mr Burgoyne.
"Government does not impose on any other group, individual, or company how it goes about deciding to apply for a water extraction licence, and we will not do this to Aboriginal landowners."
These amendments support the Finocchiaro CLP Government's commitment to rebuilding the Territory's economy by removing ambiguities and operational challenges that have held back activation of the Aboriginal water reserve.
In Parliament today, the Finocchiaro CLP Government also passed the Domestic and Family Violence and Victims Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, which delivers on its promise to put the rights of victims above the rights of offenders.
The Bill proposes strong new laws targeting domestic violence offenders, including the reinstatement of mandatory sentencing, and enhanced protections for victims of domestic violence.
