The Finocchiaro CLP Government is forging ahead with its legislative reform agenda when Parliament resumes tomorrow.
Leader of Government Business Steve Edgington said the Petroleum, Planning and Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 would be debated this week.
"The Amendment Bill aims to prevent third parties, with no stake in a project, from exploiting the merits review process to deliberately sabotage the Territory's economy," said Mr Edgington.
Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment Joshua Burgoyne said the Amendment Bill provided consistency across legislation, puts trust back in the experts and provides industry the confidence they need to invest in the Territory.
Mr Burgoyne said he would also introduce amendments to the NT Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (Sacred Sites Act), which has not been updated in more than 30 years despite an independent review into the Act nearly a decade ago.
"Any updates to the Sacred Sites Act will seek to strengthen the protection of sacred sites and ensure our regulatory processes provide for safe development in the Northern Territory," he said.
"Proposed amendments will include the transferability of authority certificates issued by the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority, which will ensure that processes do not need to be unnecessarily repeated and cause delays to development."
Other legislation to be introduced this week includes introducing the Domestic and Family Violence and Victims Legislation Amendment Bill and Water Amendment (Aboriginal Water Reserves) Bill.
"This week in Parliament, we will also debate the Police Administration Legislation Amendment Bill 2025," said Mr Edgington.
This legislation will grant police express power to enter private property for Domestic Violence Order compliance checks while maintaining individual rights by ensuring police cannot enter a dwelling without consent.
"The reforms are a necessary step to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and better protect the community," said Mr Edgington.
"We back our police and want them to feel confident in their role of protecting the community, knowing they have the full support of the government.
"We have made 2025 a year of action, certainty and security for the Territory, and that's what the Finocchiaro CLP Government is continuing to deliver."
Parliament will sit on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.
