MEDIA RELEASE

22 May 2003

CHIEF MINISTER ANNOUNCES NEW TERRITORY STATEHOOD MOVE

Northern Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin choose the launch of the inaugural Charles Darwin Symposium series today to announce a new push towards Territory Statehood. She said the necessary steps and widespread community consultation would proceed with a view to achieving Statehood within five years - if the time was right.

Chief Minister Martin received loud applause after announcing the plan during her welcoming address to the 350 delegates attending the first of four planned symposia to promote discussion on the Territory's way to the future. She said she had spoken to the Prime Minister about a the move and had received his support.

Ms Martin said that after 25 years of self-government, the Territory was ready to achieve statehood. She promised full community consultation in the process and said the move would not be hijacked by politicians looking for a place for their names in the history books.

"The pathway to Statehood will be guided by the people and will follow a timetable that is flexible to meet with the community's wishes," she said.

Other speakers at today's opening session included respected senior member of northeast Arnhem Land's Gumatj Yolnu clan and Yothu Yindi lead singer, Mandawuy Yunupingu, who spoke of his people's earliest origins and cultural links with water as the source of life. He spoke of Charles Darwin's recognition of the history of plants and animals, of the interconnection between 'many pasts and many futures' and how this thinking tied with Yolnu beliefs.

He also spoke of the newly-named Charles Darwin University's important role in engaging ancient Aboriginal knowledge and beliefs to connect with and contribute to new scientific knowledge. This would help allow Charles Darwin University to contribute to global knowledge.

Today's symposium session also featured ABC Radio National's Late Night Live Host, Phillip Adams in a live-to-air forum focussing on the theme, 'Developing the North'.