Gary Hardgrave says Toobeah land transfer to Aboriginal group was ‘madness’
A former federal MP says plans to hand over 95 per cent of a Queensland town to an Aboriginal group is “madness”, describing the lack of transparency as “breathtaking”.
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A former Queensland federal MP has slammed a controversial proposal to hand over 95 per cent of a Queensland town to an Aboriginal corporation as “madness”.
Toobeah, about 400km southwest of Brisbane, has been divided over state government plans to transfer a 210ha reserve to the Bigambul Native Title Aboriginal Corporation.
It was revealed last month that the corporation was developing a “master plan” for the Toobeah site, sparking fears the land transfer – which would be done under Queensland’s Aboriginal Land Act – was a done deal.
Former Howard government minister Gary Hardgrave, speaking on Sky News, said he was shocked by the numbers.
“This is madness, and it’s writ large in Queensland,” he said.
Mr Hargrave likened native title applications in Queensland had become “like buying a lotto ticket”.
“And guess what, looks like they are winning the lottery,” he said.
“This big area of land that really has got no connection to them is about to be granted to them.”
Mr Hardgrave said he was confused by the lack of discussion from the Queensland parliament and local council.
“It is just breathtaking,” he said. “And the local council doesn’t seem to want to stop it, nobody in the Queensland parliament seems to want to stop it …
“But in the end, which town is next?
“There are 15 others that are in the sights of the Miles government – they won’t tell anybody. And worse still, nobody in the parliament is asking questions about it.
“I am pretty shocked by this, this is madness.”
Queensland Nationals MP Keith Pitt also criticised the land transfer, saying it was the “wrong approach”,
“I just think this is just another cover-up by the Miles government,” he said.
“But the idea that states can just give away their land and turn it into freehold capacity for Aboriginal organisations, I just think that is a mistake, that is the wrong approach.”
The corporation rejected “mistruths and misinformation”, saying it wanted the reserve for “cultural heritage protection (and) environmental and economic development.
It said the reserve was less than one per cent of the Toobeah “district” and was designated for travelling stock and associated camping.
“People have been riding trail bikes and 4WDs across the property unlawfully and damaging the river banks and riparian vegetation over the years,” the corporation said.
“Bigambul plans to develop the site as an eco-cultural attraction for the town and region, and extend visitor stays.”
The corporation rejected claims the land transfer process had been shrouded in secrecy.
Toobeah is one of 15 Queensland towns, including Eurong and Happy Valley on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island), subject to land transfer applications by Aboriginal groups.
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