Two influential NT land councils this week criticised the NT Government over new laws they say fails to recognise the importance of customary burials on their country.

The Northern and Central land councils both expressed their disappointment with the the NT Legislative Assembly's Social Policy Scrutiny Committee failure to address concerns raised by Aboriginal people about the Burial & Cremation Bill 2019.

Today more Indigenous people also urged the Government to allow Aboriginal people living on their traditional lands culturally appropriate funerals without undue bureaucratic interference.

They say a draft Burial and Cremation Bill 2019 now before the NT Parliament would introduce a penalty of $31,000 and a possible two-year prison sentence for burials currently carried out on country outside cemeteries without the permission of bureaucrats in Darwin.

For its part, the NT Parliament was told yesterday by Karama MLA Ngaree Ah Kit that concern had been raised regarding the extent to which the Government's planned laws may interfere with traditional burial practices and disproportionately affect Aboriginal people.

"As highlighted by the department, approval for burials is not a new requirement irrespective of where a body is buried, whether inside a cemetery or outside of a cemetery, on a pastoral lease, private land or Aboriginal land. The department emphasised the importance of ensuring that there are no known legal impediments to burial," she said.

"However, in light of the issues raised in submissions, the (Social Policy Scrutiny Committee) committee has also recommended that the government review the operation of clauses 39 and 40 to ensure that they are not unduly impacting on traditional burial practices and present a report to the Legislative Assembly as soon as practicable after the end of the first year of operation."

Nhulunbuy MLA Yingiya Mark Guyula, said it was no the Government's business.

"By ignoring the very serious objections of Aboriginal people and refusing to amend any part of the Bill, the NT Parliament's Social Policy Scrutiny Committee disrespects Aboriginal culture and criminalises elders and leaders," he said.

"It is ridiculous that any government would think a prison term is appropriate for a burial carried out in accordance with Aboriginal tradition," Northern Land Council chief executive adds Marion Scrymgour said.

She said Aboriginal people should not have to seek permission for traditional burials on their lands.

A group called 'concerned Australians' said it believed that the Chief Minister should re-engage with Aboriginal elders, representatives of the land councils and the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency to allow local, culturally sensitive decision making about burials on Aboriginal lands.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.