The NT Government has threatened a media outlet after it obtained documents about fishing rights, before withdrawing the threat. 

The ABC says it obtained leaked documents relating to negotiations over future fishing rights in Aboriginal waters across the Northern Territory. 

TIn 2008, a landmark High Court decision gave traditional owners exclusive access to about 6,000 kilometres of coastline. 

However, there has since been concern that the ruling would impact on amateur and commercial fishers, who now need permission from Indigenous landowners to enter Aboriginal waters in the NT.

The documents leaked to the media reveal concerns about an existing agreement between the Northern Territory government and the Northern Land Council (NLC), which enabled access to some fishing zones until the end of this year.

The agreement is allegedly described as “flawed”, “lacking in transparency”, and “heavily skewed” toward traditional owners, with “no consideration” of the broader fishing industry.

The materials were drafted by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade and sent to the office of Fisheries Minister Paul Kirby, as well as some unnamed “cabinet colleagues”. 

The ABC says it was sent an email from the office of the Solicitor for the Northern Territory when it tried to ask questions about the content of the documents, threatening a court injunction to prevent publication on the basis of “breach of confidentiality”. 

Just a day later, government lawyers said they had been instructed not to seek an injunction. 

“That letter should never have been sent,” Chief Minister Natasha Fyles told reporters. 

However, she said there were some serious issues to investigate. 

“The leaking of that document is a serious breach that is being investigated,” she said.

“But that document was not a final version and that's not the view of the cabinet and the ministers.”

Negotiations continue between the government and the NLC about fishing access arrangements in Aboriginal waters from next year.