Aboriginal landowners criticise Northern Land Council over drill permit

Residents from region around Alawa and Mangarrayi lands say they weren't properly consulted about work by Gina Rinehart-linked company

An Aboriginal community is calling for a halt to exploratory drilling preparations on their traditional lands by a Gina Rinehart-linked company, claiming they weren't properly consulted by the peak body representing them.

However, the chief executive of the Northern Land Council (NLC), has defended his organisation, and blames the "confusion" on a two-year delay between traditional owners giving permission and the permits being granted, as well as "intervention by third-party groups".