News | Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority

Media releases

Bobby Nunggumajbarr and Ben Scambary April 2022

AAPA farewells CEO Dr Benedict Scambary

With great sadness, the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority Board today farewelled the Authority’s long-serving chief executive officer, Dr Benedict Scambary. Authority Chair, Mr Bobby Nunggumajbarr said Dr Scambary’s departure is a significant loss for the Board, the Authority and for the Northern Territory.

Lightning Tree near Arlparra

Department of Logistics and Infrastructure fined $25,000

The Northern Territory Local Court today convicted and fined the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure (DLI) $25,000 for breaching the conditions of an Authority Certificate, which resulted in damage to a sacred site at the community of Arlparra.

Palm trees in front of the NT Parliament House (Michael Franchi ©ABC News)

AAPA Board expresses concern about the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

The Board of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority is disappointed by the Northern Territory Government’s decision to pass amendments to the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act (Sacred Sites Act) without proper consultation. The amendments do not have Aboriginal consultation at their heart.

Photo taken from Yinberrie Hills of Mt Todd Mine Site

Vista Gold convicted of damaging a significant Aboriginal sacred site

Today in the Northern Territory Local Court, Vista Gold was convicted of criminal offences and fined $160,000 for working on a sacred site, breaching a condition of an Authority Certificate and causing damage to a sacred site at their Mount Todd gold mine located near Katherine.

Publications

Palm trees in front of the NT Parliament House (Michael Franchi ©ABC News)

Submission to the Legislative Scrutiny Committee Inquiry into the NT Aboriginal Sacred Sites Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 - April 2025

We are senior law people from across the Northern Territory and we are very concerned that these amendments will erode protections for our sacred sites. We urge the Assembly to not pass this Bill and instead engage in a real consultation process with Aboriginal people across the Northern Territory to bring proper reform to the protection of sacred sites.

Tile for Consultation Report on the Draft Territory Coordinator Bill

Submission to public consultation on the Draft Territory Coordinator Bill - January 2025

The Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (the Sacred Sites Act) is not classed as a Scheduled Act under the draft Bill. The draft Bill also states that the powers of the Territory Coordinator may not interfere with or modify the protection of sacred sites.

Cover of the 23/34 AAPA Annual Report

2023-2024

The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority Annual Report 2023-24 provides a comprehensive account of the Authority's activities from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, including financials, notable Authority Certificates and performance data.

Man in high vis and cap crouched holding a device in front of fourwheel drive

Comment on the draft standard conditions and risk criteria for exploration and mining activities - July 2024

Mining activities deemed low risk to the environment may still entail significant risk to sacred sites. Currently the processes for Standard Condition Licenses do not address this risk, nor do they provide a clear pathway to the Sacred Sites Act to mitigate this risk.

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