http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23228456-2,00.htmlDRAFT laws reversing the Howard government's changes to the permit system in Northern Territory Aboriginal communities will be introduced into parliament this week.
The permit system was scrapped by the Coalition government as part of its dramatic intervention into NT Aboriginal communities last year.
Under legislation introduced by the Coalition the permit system was due to end today, meaning anyone would have been able to access common areas of indigenous communities without a permit.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said legislation to reinstate the permit system would be introduced into parliament this week.
"The legislation will also include provision to allow journalists and government contractors to enter Aboriginal communities without permits, to carry out their work,'' Ms Macklin said.
People undertaking government business on Aboriginal land, including police and child protection officers, can already enter communities without obtaining a permit.
The changes will not restrict any activity of staff involved in the intervention.
There are legitimate concerns that privacy would be compromised by the lifting of the permit system, Ms Macklin said.
Northern Territory police have stated the permit system has an important role in policing these communities and keeping out grog and drug runners, she added.
Ms Macklin said she had also determined not to lift the permit system on major roads to communities, which she could do by regulation.
Topic: NT permit changes to be reversed (Read 931 times)