In a terrific display of ignorance, Senator Jane Hume has today told Sky News that she thinks the Northern Territorys population is too small and sparse and therefore is undeserving of considering complex social issues and legislation.

We call on her to retract her comments and apologise to the people of the Northern Territory.

In the gobsmacking interview she said:

The Northern Territory, that has 211,000 people, do you think they should

have the right with their unicameral parliament to legislate for this very very

important and emotive issue

In one short answer YES.

Northern Territorians should have exactly the same rights that all other Australians have. One of those basic rights is to elect a Government that you wish to make legislation and policy in the best interests of your communities.

Today Senator McCarthy has written to the Prime Minister calling on him to allow the Private Members Bill Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2018 from Hon DrAndrew Leigh MP Member for Fenner that has been co-sponsored by Luke Gosling Member for Solomon to be debated in the lower house as soon as possible.

The Commonwealth should not restrict the Northern Territory or the ACT Governments from legislating due to the personal views of Federal Parliamentarians.

The people of both Territories deserve to be able to legislate and govern in their own right.