KEY POINTS:
CANBERRA - Labor has committed to continuing with the Federal Government's Northern Territory indigenous intervention if it is elected, but has indicated it may soften changes to the permit system.
Draft laws to underpin the Government's crackdown on child abuse were yesterday debated in the Senate after passing the lower house on Tuesday night.
Opposition leader Kevin Rudd said: "We believe this needs to be given a fair opportunity to run because these problems have been so intractable for so long."
However, Rudd indicated a Labor government may soften the changes to the permit system.
The Government's changes mean non-indigenous people will be allowed in public spaces and on public roads in communities they currently require a permit to enter.
"We have to make sure we get the balance right and make sure that people who are threats to communities, predators, people who are trafficking in alcohol et cetera, are kept out," Rudd said. "But we're going to look at the overall effectiveness of this should we form the next government of Australia."
Australian Greens leader Bob Brown accused the Government of riding roughshod over the Parliament.
"I have never seen such an abrogation of the role of the Senate in the 11 years I've been here," he said.
The Senate will continue debating the legislation tomorrow and it will be examined by a Senate committee on Friday.
- AAP
