The NT government has allowed some pastoralists to grow cotton on cattle stations without permits.The NT government has defended allowing pastoralists to change pastoral lease uses without a permit, saying it's legal to grow crops to feed livestock.
Under the NT's Pastoral Land Act 1992, it is legal to use up to half of a cattle station pastoral lease to grow crops without a non-pastoral use permit. There are fears that sacred, pristine sites are being put at risk by a government-backed push to grow cotton in the outback. However, Mr Young is so concerned about the NT government's approach to the law, he is calling for the Commonwealth to take action.
"They're being deprived of that, so it's not just a breach of the Pastoral Land Act, it's a flouting of the Native Title Act that the Northern Territory government are defending."The biggest concern many traditional owners have about a change of land use to cotton growing is the new industry's demand for water.