APONT calls on Finocchiaro to govern for all Territorians by properly engaging with the sector
The Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory Aboriginal Corporation (APONT) is calling on the NT Government to honour its promise to govern for all Territorians, noting a series of reforms including changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act (1992) Youth Justice Bill being counter to that promise.
APONT Chair Dr John Paterson said, “these are significant steps backward and more knee-jerk reactions by this Government, without thought about the impact and harm these actions will cause”.
These changes are amongst mounting reforms, like lowering the age of criminal responsibility and broadening criminal histories when sentencing, that disproportionately affect Aboriginal people.
APONT condemns the Northern Territory Government’s call to remove detention as a last resort for children and the reinstatement of spit hoods in youth detention.
Dr Paterson said, “There is a reason spit hoods were banned in the first place. They are barbaric, dangerous and can cause lasting psychological and physical health issues, particularly when used on vulnerable children who have already experienced trauma, cognitive disabilities and mental health disorders This is not new information and for the Government to reinstate spit-hoods knowing this is irresponsible.
“Decades of evidence shows that the use of spit hoods poses significant risks and that concerns around officer safety can be addressed by a range of other measures. Spit hoods are not about safety, they are a tool of inhumane and degrading treatment, and they have no place in the Territory.”
“This Government promises to govern for all Territorians, but its actions don’t say that at all. It can’t go on like this. There is no interest from the Government to engage with our sector in providing real and humane solutions – and it’s our children and communities that suffer the consequences.” Dr Paterson said.
Dr Paterson urged the Government to move forward with real consultation and engagement with Aboriginal communities.
WE ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING MEMBERSHIP AND EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO BE A NTAECC DIRECTOR
ABORIGINAL PEARK ORGANISATIONS OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY - APONT
NTAECC
After years of lobbying and implementation of a funding agreement administered by the education departments of NT Labor and CLP governments’ the Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT Aboriginal Corporation (APONT) has established a peak representative body for education for the NT.
The name of the legal entity is the NT Aboriginal Education Consultative Council Aboriginal Corporation ICN 11857.
The corporation will be known as NTAECC for consistency and alignment with the names of Indigenous peak bodies for education around Australia.
NTAECC was incorporated as a legal entity under the CATSI Act in April 2026. NTAECC will be an advisory body to governments to ensure our voice is heard when it comes to education for Aboriginal people in the NT.
Objectives
1. Enter into a partnership agreement with the NT Department of Education and Training and become a member of NATSIEC
2. Establish partnership approaches and advocate to ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory receive quality, culturally appropriate and accessible education at all levels
3. Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to lead education initiatives which transmit their histories, languages, traditions and culture through education, training and learning
4. Build education and learning into community values, norms and practices as the basis of building knowledge, skills and capabilities to improve economic and social prosperity in Aboriginal communities.
5. Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators, staff and students in their education, training and learning aspirations, including the provision of appropriate career pathways and pathways for further education and training.
6. Advance Commonwealth and Northern Territory Government commitments to Closing the Gap Priority Reform 1—Formal partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
7. Advance Commonwealth and Northern Territory Government commitments to Closing the Gap priority reforms and socio-economic outcome areas that target education.
8. Ensure free, prior and informed consent in decision making and when engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities regarding decisions about education, training and learning issues
Governance.
In the first three months after incorporation the corporation will be governed by an interim board of directors with up to 12 members. The interim board of directors will:
1. Develop strategies to attract membership of the corporation
2. Represent NAETECC at Territory and National education forums, and
3. Act as an advisory body to Territory and Commonwealth governments
The term of the interim board of directors will end at the first general meeting due three months after the date of incorporation. At the first general meeting the term of the interim board of directors will end and the positions will be declared vacant. The members in attendance at the meeting will elect and appoint a new board of directors for a term of 2 years.
The corporation will ask members to appoint directors who are resident in regions throughout the NT.
The appointed directors will have experience and/or qualifications in specialist areas of education and have:
• current or previous employment in the NT education system
• cultural knowledge and authority
Together, the directors will have experience and/or qualifications in early childhood education, primary education, secondary education, vocational education and training, higher education and homeland schooling.
Membership
The corporation will have two classes of membership
A Full Member must be:
• at least 15 years old
• an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person that permanently resides in the Northern Territory
An Associate Member must be:
• at least 18 years old
• a person who is not eligible to be a full member
• a permanent resident in the Northern Territory
Directors:
There will be a maximum of 12 directors
A director must be:
• at least 18 years old
• be a Full Member
IF THIS IS YOU - WE ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING MEMBERSHIP AND EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO BE A NTAECC DIRECTOR
Please complete the membership form and the director nomination if you would like to be appointed as a director.
Application for membership form and
Board MemberNomination form
Please send forms or if you have questions please see contact details below:
education@apont.org.au
Phone: 08 7936 8620
9A Rowling Street, Casuarina NT 0810
