Northern Territory Labor says its federal counterparts are aware of the party's change in position on the Lee Point development, even as the federal government continues to ignore requests for comment.
The controversial Defence Housing Australia (DHA) project — long opposed by Larrakia Traditional Owners and environmentalists — had been supported by the NT Labor government during its eight years in power from 2016 to 2024.
However, in a reversal on the eve of the Nightcliff by-election, Labor's ultimately successful candidate, Ed Smelt, said the party had changed its position on the project and was "very proud to do so".
In response to questions from National Indigenous Times, Opposition Leader Selena Uibo said the party had been asked for its position before the by-election and was "happy to provide it".
"Since the last election," Ms Uibo said, "Territory Labor has come to the position that we support the community's calls for a moratorium on the current DHA housing project until the NT Planning Commission completes a comprehensive Area Plan for the whole of Lee Point that properly considers the views of the community and Traditional Owners".
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The Binybara/Lee Point development masterplan covers 131 hectares and is planned to deliver about 800 homes, with land clearing for the first stage already completed. The area holds deep cultural and ecological significance, forming part of the Kenbi Dreaming track and providing habitat for the endangered Gouldian finch.
Development is currently paused while a legal challenge brought by Traditional Owner Tibby Quall proceeds.
Ms Uibo — who in 2024 became the first female Indigenous leader of a major party in Australia's history — noted that since the election "not a single house has been built at Lee Point", arguing this is a "clear sign that the project does not yet have the certainty or support required to proceed".
"Territory Labor supports development, but development works best when it has community confidence and planning certainty. This way, we can avoid another decade of dispute, legal challenge and political fighting while the site remains stuck in limbo," she said.
"Our Federal Labor colleagues are aware of this position."
Despite this, the federal government has remained silent on the backflip. It is rare that federal Labor and their colleagues across the states and territories don't have a similar message and position — from the environment to law and order.
National Indigenous Times contacted the Minister for Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh — whose portfolio includes DHA — multiple times last week, asking whether NT Labor's change in position would be reflected federally and whether there had been consultation between the federal and territory branches. This masthead received no reply.
A question in Senate question time on Thursday asking whether the federal government still supported the project was deemed to be directed to the wrong minister, and the government largely sidestepped the query.
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Senator Lidia Thorpe — a longtime critic of the project, who in 2024 tabled a petition in federal Parliament with more than 16,000 signatures calling for Binybara/Lee Point to be returned to the Larrakia people — said the federal government has "so far refused to listen to Traditional Owners" over the development and questioned whether it would be "willing to listen" to its Northern Territory counterparts.
"Larrakia Traditional Owners have opposed this project from the beginning and have not given consent for the destruction of their Country," Senator Thorpe told National Indigenous Times last week.
"The Albanese government should cancel this project and put a stop to the destruction of Binybara/Lee Point once and for all."
Last month, NT News reported DHA representative Brendan O'Brien told City of Darwin councillors that work on the development would resume this year for the first time since late 2023. He said DHA expects Mr Quall's court case to be decided in April.
"We're going to commence construction, no matter what the outcome. Obviously, we believe we have a strong case, but no matter what the outcome, there will be a project there, and we are committed to getting on with that project this financial year," Mr O'Brien said.
In response to questions, a DHA spokesperson told National Indigenous Times last week: "DHA is awaiting determination of one outstanding matter with the NTCAT, expected in April."
"This matter is in relation to one area within the Lee Point development and proceedings will not impact commencement of construction in areas outside of that scope later this year," the spokesperson added.
Laniyuk, a Larrakia woman from the collective Protect Larrakia Country — a group of young Larrakia people campaigning for the return of Lee Point to Larrakia ownership — said NT Labor's shift should prompt federal action.
Calling Lee Point "sacred" and saying it should be protected for future generations, she told National Indigenous Times: "NT Labor now acknowledges our Elders and community were right to oppose this destructive project."
"The next step is to ask their Federal Labor colleagues to intervene so this vision for returning Lee Point to the care, ownership and protection of Larrakia people can be realised before more damage is done."
