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1. 1
   Graham Davis, Sr. Says:
   May 19th, 2009 at 8:17 am

   If and when we become a state will a Bill of Rights be one of the major issues before statehood, or will the committee leave it till after so as the Government can restrict the peoples input and rights

2. 2
   statehood Says:
   June 29th, 2009 at 2:09 pm

   Dear Mr Davis,

   Thank you for your query on the adoption of a Bill of Rights Query associated with Statehood.

   It is clear that there is some community interest in a Bill of Rights being included in the NT constitution that the topic needs to be included in constitutional consultations.

   However, there is also the argument that the Statehood Steering Committee examines the issues of adopting a Bill of Rights, prior to and separate to a constitution of a new state.

   The arguments have been considered by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee (LCAC) of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, and it has been agreed that further research is needed in to the surrounding issues of a possible Bill of Rights.

   An issues paper is being prepared by the LCAC for the Standing Committee (the SSC reports to Parliament through this Committee) on the Territory’s possible adoption of a Bill of Rights. This will assist the Statehood Steering Committee in gauging community opinion on a Bill of Rigths during its consultation with the community.

   We will be sure to keep you informed on this matter.