Change Native Title laws: Keating

FORMER Prime Minister Paul Keating says it's too difficult for Aboriginal people to claim Native Title and wants the legislation changed.

PAUL Keating says it's too hard for Aboriginal people to claim Native Title and wants laws changed.

Speaking at the annual Lowitja O'Donoghue oration in Adelaide tonight, the former Prime Minister reflected on the introduction of Native Title legislation in the wake of the Mabo decision in 1992.

As Prime Minister, Mr Keating oversaw the introduction of the Native Title Act amid much opposition and political tumult.

Addressing a sold-out Bonython Hall audience at the University of Adelaide, Mr Keating said the application of the Native Title Act had regressed from what he had envisaged, to a "snap frozen, museum variety the Court subsequently came up with."

"Going hand in hand in this regression is the continuing high onus of proof falling on claimants to native title," he said.

"We all know that the rupture of European settlement had an atomising effect upon Aboriginal society as a whole and on particular groups, such that contemporary efforts to reconstitute that society or groups within it, including the resuscitation of traditional ways, is beyond our facilities."

Mr Keating said he supported amendments currently before Parliament to try and improve the ability of claimants to be recognised with Native Title.

"I can only add my recommendation that the Federal government give legislative effect to such changes so as to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and equity of the Native Title Act."

After 15 years of operation of the Native Title Act 1993, there have been 1300 claims lodged, arriving at 121 native title determinations, covering just over 10 per cent of the land mass at a cost to the taxpayer of over $900 million.

Mr Keating also took a swipe at Bob Hawke for not following through with the Land Rights Act.

"This was one of the low points in the campaign for national land rights: it was also one of the rare moral low points of the Hawke government," he said.

Ms O'Donoghue said she and Mr Keating "shared a bond" and reflected on the 1993 negotiations fondly.

"They were heady days, very difficult days and long hours ... but you were always there," she said.