Text reads 'Campaigns that Changed the Northern Territory'. A map of Australia in red with the Northern Territory highlighted in yellow.

Campaigns that Changed the Northern Territory

Introduction

Australia’s Northern Territory has a rich history of resistance and collective action. This overview provides snapshots of some of the campaigns that had an impact. Of course, there are many more. If you would like to contribute a case study contact the Commons librarians.

This resource is made possible by support from the Alf & Meg Steel Fund of the Australian Communities Foundation.

Campaign Case Studies

Gurindji Workers and Land Rights – Wave Hill Walk Off, 1960s

Group of men stand and sit in front of a sign reading 'Gurindji Mining Lease and Cattle Station'

The Gurindji strikers at Wattie Creek led by Vincent Lingiari in 1967.(Source: Brian Manning)

Pine Gap Peace Protests, 1980s and Ongoing

A line of women carrying a make shift stretcher with a person lying on it appearing deceased.

Courtesy: Search Foundation, State Library of NSW

Excerpt from Blockades that Changed Australia:

From November 11th 1983 onwards 800 women camped outside the US run military base at Pine Gap, which is used to spy on Australian and overseas communications as well as target nuclear and other weapons. Over a period of two weeks numerous activities in favour of peace and Aboriginal land rights were held including a march to the base with Traditional Owners, site invasions, street theatre, balloon releases, workshops, solidarity protests at the Alice Springs courthouse, graffiti and de-fencing. The 111 women arrested for entering the site all gave the name Karen Silkwood, an American union activist who survived plutonium contamination only to die under suspicious circumstances in 1974 while delivering documents exposing lapses in nuclear safety at her workplace.

The protest was successful in drawing attention to the base’s then largely hidden role in the US war fighting machine and in showing solidarity with women’s peace camps at Greenham Common in the UK and Cosimo in Italy. It was also part of a broader campaign which invigorated and brought together feminist peace groups from around Australia under the banner of Women For Survival. Branches and affiliates were regularly involved in local actions against nuclear warships, national conferences and regional actions at the Salisbury Defence Centre, Cockburn Sound naval base, Lucas Heights nuclear reactor and Roxy Downs uranium mine.

Kakadu National Park, Jabiluka Mine – Campaign to stop Uranium Mine, 1998

Photograph of protestors at the Jabiluka blockade in 1998. Features banners with 'Uranium, Leave it in the Ground'. The march is led by Mirarr elders and Peter Garrett.

Mirarr Senior Traditional Owner, Yvonne Margarula leads protestors calling for a halt to Jabiluka mine, Oenpelli Highway, Kakadu National Park, September 1998. Image by David Hancock.

The Mirarr people have fought to protect our country and people from uranium mining for many years. Now we are defending our country against the proposed Jabiluka uranium mine. We invite you to come to our country to join our struggle to uphold the cultural and environmental values of Kakadu – Mirarr Clan, March 1998

Excerpt from Blockades that Changed Australia:

This message from the Mirarr called on people to join a huge blockade which began on 23rd March 1998, eventually bringing more than 5000 to Kakadu to engage in non-violent direct action. Following years of protest and court proceedings, the blockade provided a focus for action acknowledging the Mirrar’s sovereignty over the area and their opposition to the construction of a uranium mine on their land. Months of protest, both at the construction site and in cities and towns across Australia, followed. Delayed in completing work and opening the mine due to the Mirrar people’s implacable campaigning the mine’s owner Rio Tinto eventually caved in, officially recognizing and admitting in 2002 that it could not be built with the consent of traditional owners.

  • The Jabiluka Blockade – 22 years on
    Do you know about one of Australia’s most effective anti-nuclear blockades? The Jabiluka blockade in 1998 stopped the Ranger Uranium Mine in Australia. This article includes the campaign timeline and many further resources.
  • Jabiluka Fight for Country
    In 2005 the Mirarr succeeded in halting the development of the proposed Jabiluka mine. It was the culmination of an extraordinary decade-long campaign which saw people across Australia and the world stand up and support Mirarr in their opposition to uranium mining on their land.
  • Stop Jabiluka Mine Handbook
    This handbook gives a fascinating insight into an important part of Australian social movement history as well as an overview of the kinds of issues to consider when organising a large-scale direct action convergence. Over 500 people were arrested in the course of an eight-month blockade at Jabiluka in 1998.
  • Fight for Country – Documentary
    Fight for Country follows the Mirrar’s historic campaign for land rights in Kakadu. In 1998 they established one of the biggest blockade camps in our history with over 5,000 people joining them over eight months to stop the construction of the Jabiluka uranium mine. Pip Starr’s doco follows the actions at Jabiluka and charts the growth of the movement across Australia and worldwide in support of the Mirarr people. This film gives us a glimpse inside the blockade camp and includes a banging homegrown soundtrack.
  • Uranium mining in Kakadu National Park, Australia
    The injustice of uranium mining in Kakadu National Park is not the only one in Australia against aboriginal communities. By 2019, the Ranger uranium mine is facing enormous rehabilitation costs.
Stop Jabiluka Mine banner hanging on cliff rock face

© Sandy Scheltema

Anti-gas and Fracking Campaigns, 2018 – Ongoing

Beetaloo Basin and Middle Arm

Timor Sea – Anti-Oil and Gas

It doesn’t matter to them if something goes wrong. But that’s my country and they have no right to be making choices and decisions about it like that. Marie Munkara, Traditional Owner of Cape Fourcroy, Tiwi Islands

Excerpt from Santos’ Barossa offshore gas “scraping the bottom of the barrel” in Timor Sea, NT, Australia, Environmental Justice Atlas:

The Barossa offshore gas projects seeks to exploit a gas field in the Timor Sea to supply the Darwin LNG onshore terminal for 20 more years after the Bayu-Undan field is exhausted in the 2020s. Dangalaba and Larrakia people were not consulted and then sued Santos defending their traditional territory. Climate justice organisations oppose the project as the most carbon-intensive gas field in Australia.

Australia is the largest exporter of LNG in the world, narrowly followed by Qatar. This position is sustained thanks to the unwavering support of the Australian government policies and a resource-hungry national gas industry. Santos is the largest gas supplier company in Australia, and they enjoy governmental favour thanks to their effective lobbying activities and a revolving door between the political world and the company boards. Santos operations are opposed by the environmental justice movement across Australia as they disrespect local and indigenous communities, biodiversity and the climate.

  • The Stop Barossa Gas campaign 
    A collaboration between the Environment Centre NT, Jubilee Australia Research Centre, Solutions for Our Climate (KO) and Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society.
  • Montara Oil Spill, Australia
    The Montara Oil Spill in Timor Sea highlighted the controversies of fossil fuel extraction and legislative weaknesses in Australia dealing with complex transboundary issues. Indonesian seaweed farmers embark on class action law suit to claim for damages.

Other Cultural Heritage and Anti-Mining & Development Campaigns

McArthur River – Anti-Mining Campaign

Lee Point – Binybara Campaign

Muckaty – Anti-Nuclear Waste Dump Campaign

A seven year campaign by Traditional Owners and supporters saw a proposed nuclear waste dump at Muckaty station cancelled in 2014.

Other Stories

Uluru – Handback and Protection

Water Justice – Drinking Water

Indigenous Youth

Explore Further