The Central Land Council (CLC) fears unvaccinated Aboriginal communities will be left unprotected as the Northern Territory government sets a key mandatory double vaccination deadline of December 24.
The Northern Territory government revealed its timeline for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for high-risk workers today with Chief Minister Michael Gunner directing people in public-facing jobs to be fully vaccinated by Christmas Eve or face $5,000 fines.
Mr Gunner also issued a stern warning to a handful of remote Indigenous communities, directing residents to get vaccinated.
The announcement has frustrated Les Turner, CEO of the Central Land Council (CLC), saying there was no consultation and the time frame did not give Indigenous communities enough time to reach the 80 per cent vaccinated target.
"They should engage with the land councils and the Aboriginal medical services of the NT in terms of where the government is heading.
"I don't think we've had any consultation with [the government]."
Mr Turner said the Chief Minister should look at why some communities have impressive vaccination rates, such as Kintore in the Western Desert, where 70 to 80 per cent of the community is double jabbed.
"The doctors met with all the family groups and explained about vaccinations and all the issues around it."
Mr Turner said that the Northern Territory had not done enough to combat vaccine hesitancy in remote Indigenous communities.
"[They] also [haven't put] to bed some of the anti-vaccination messages going around which are just scaring our people."
Mr Turner said that Aboriginal people do not have the income to pay a $5,000 fine, and many will default.
"I don't think it's an incentive," he said.
