CLP struggles for relevance two years into government term

{ "articleTitle": "CLP Struggles for Relevance Two Years Into Government", "articleDescription": "Two years after winning the Northern Territory election, the Country Liberal Party faces criticism for shutting out Aboriginal Territorians and failing Closing the Gap targets.", "articleBody": "

Government Isolation and Policy Backlash

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Two years after sweeping to power in the Northern Territory election of November 2024, the Country Liberal Party (CLP) government is facing intensifying criticism for isolating Aboriginal communities and failing to meet key social targets. According to a September 24, 2026, report by National Indigenous Times, the party is increasingly shutting out Aboriginal Territorians from decision-making processes.

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Acting Chief Minister Gerard Maley defended the government's stance against external scrutiny, stating that people should not \"come up here and tell us what to do.\" This comment followed Commonwealth inquiries regarding the usage of federal funding. Maley’s remarks reflect a broader strategy by the CLP to dismiss criticism from southern politicians as meddling by individuals in \"ivory towers\" who do not understand local conditions.

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However, Independent MLA Justine Davis argued that issues within the Territory have consequences extending far beyond its borders, asserting that the rest of Australia needs to pay attention to developments in the NT.

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Social Indicators and Legislative Changes

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The report highlights significant disparities in social outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians. Under the Closing the Gap agreement, the Northern Territory is failing Aboriginal residents, with no other jurisdiction falling behind in more metrics than the NT.

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Specific indicators cited include a prison population where more than one percent of the total NT population is incarcerated. The territory also records the highest homelessness rate in the country, nearly 12 times the national average. Aboriginal people account for 87 percent of these homelessness figures.

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These statistics follow a period of legislative changes driven by the CLP’s \"tough on crime\" platform. Policies included lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10 and tightening bail laws. These measures contributed to an explosion in prison numbers, with nearly half of inmates held on remand. Additional controversial provisions allowed for the use of spit hoods for children in youth detention and denied bus entry based on clothing choices.

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Resignations and Political Fallout

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The government’s approach has led to high-profile departures from within its own support base. Yiŋiya Mark Guyula, an independent member of the NT Parliament, quit last month, stating he could no longer sit opposite a government unwilling to listen or form partnerships.

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Speaking at Garma, Guyula told attendees that the CLP government has \"significantly failed Aboriginal people.\" He characterized their actions as contributing to the breakdown of culture in what he described as a \"slow genocide.\" Guyula is one of four leading Aboriginal Territorians to resign from posts in the last three months, citing difficulties working alongside a government with a \"do as we say\" attitude.

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NT Labor leader Selena Uibo criticized the CLP’s strategy, stating that the party cannot claim Aboriginal voices matter while shutting them out of important decisions. She