Fed: Minchin opposed to intervening in NT law

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2000
Fed: Minchin opposed to intervening in NT law

CANBERRA, April 6 AAP - Industry Minister Nick Minchin today came out strongly against
any federal intervention to overturn mandatory sentencing laws in the Northern Territory.

Senator Minchin said he had always been a strong advocate of states' rights.

"I am opposed quite strongly to any intervention or overturning of the Northern Territory
laws," he told ABC television.

"The prime minister is meeting with (NT chief minister) Denis Burke next week and he
will examine with Denis if there is any way in which the NT can be persuaded of its own
volition to changed those laws.

"But I am certainly very strongly opposed to any intervention by the federal government
to overturn those laws."

AAP mb/mfh

KEYWORD: MANDATORY MINCHIN

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