APONT says 2025 Territory Budget does not fulfil the NT’s commitments on Closing the Gap and cannot continue to ignore the sector
The Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory Aboriginal Corporation (APONT) says the 2025 NT Budget announced on Tuesday 13 May does not address the fundamental needs of Aboriginal Territorians.
“Introducing the Budget into Parliament today, the government referenced its three priorities: to reduce crime, rebuild the economy and restore the NT lifestyle. This cannot be achieved without working with Aboriginal leadership and the sector to develop real reforms and community-led solutions.” said Dr John Paterson, APO NT Lead Convenor.
“The lack of dedicated funding to strengthen the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector to provide our people with desperately needed improvements, only exacerbates the situation and contradicts commitments the Northern Territory Government have signed up to under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.” Dr John Paterson said.
APONT noted the disappointing lack of funding for prevention to balance the crime-focused investments of this Budget ignores the evidence and relationships we have on the ground with our constituents and member organisations.
“There is a real missed opportunity to invest in early support and prevention reforms especially for family and domestic violence and justice issues; reforms that Aboriginal Territorians have called for decades. Reforms that will make all Territorians safer...”
“...When the Country Liberal Party came to power, they said they would govern for all Territorians; this Budget represents a worrying direction for the current government.” Dr John Paterson said.
The NT Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) acknowledged the government’s continued commitments to front-line services, but the Budget lacks a coherent economic development strategy that empowers Aboriginal people to drive their own prosperity and reduce long-term dependency on government programs.
“Aboriginal people are ready to lead and grow regional and remote economies — but we need more. We need real, structural investment in Aboriginal-led enterprises, infrastructure, and workforce development,” said NTIBN CEO Naomi Anstess. As the peak for Aboriginal Businesses, the NTIBN is ready to partner with the NT Government to rebuild the economy for the Territory.
APONT calls on the Government to stay true to its commitments to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap on working in partnership with Aboriginal people, organisations and communities.
“Our work is underpinned by the principle of Aboriginal self-determination, with investment to match the intent of the National Agreement. We call on the government to listen to the community and take our concerns seriously,” said Dr John Paterson.
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
