EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1983 No. 135
National Parks and Wildlife Regulations (Amendment)
(Issued under the authority of the Minister of State for Home Affairs and Environment)
Regulations under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 came into effect on 10 November 1977. Since that date, Uluru (Ayers Rock-Mount Olga) National Park has been administered under these Regulations as has Kakadu National Park since its proclamation on 5 April 1979.
During negotiations between the Northern Land Council and the Commonwealth Negotiator in connection with the establishment of Kakadu National Park on Aboriginal land, principles under which the Director of National Parks and Wildlife would administer the Park were incorporated in an agreement between the Director of National Parks and Wildlife and the Northern Land Council and related documents. The agreement also imposed obligations on both parties.
These principles were later embodied in the Kakadu National Park Plan of Management which came into effect on 2 April 1981. The Director of National Parks and Wildlife in administering the Park is bound by the provisions contained in the Plan of Management.
The Plan of Management provides for the establishment of a town within Kakadu National Park on land leased to the Jabiru Town Development Authority by the Director, National Parks and Wildlife.
Laws applying to the Jabiru town are generally those of the Northern Territory. The Plan of Management,
however, places special obligations on the Director of National Parks and Wildlife with respect to the regulation of alcohol.
The Northern Land Council (NLC) is concerned that the issue of further liquor licences in the Kakadu National Park may exacerbate the incidence of alcohol abuse amongst Aboriginals in and around the Park. The NLC has requested the Director of National Parks and Wildlife to formulate Regulations under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 that would give the Director power of veto over the issue of liquor licences within Kakadu National Park.
The amendments to the National Parks and Wildlife Regulations have been prepared to enable the Director of National Parks and Wildlife to implement this request.
The Ministers for Aboriginal Affairs and Territories and Local Government have been consulted on the need for this Regulation in the light of representations from the Acting Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. Both agree to the Regulation being made in respect to Kakadu National Park.