Adani jumps last hurdle as Native Title bill passes

Adani has jumped over its last major legal hurdle with the Senate passing the Native Title Amendment Bill Wednesday.

Minister for Northern Australia Matt Canavan said the country had waited long enough. Picture: Tony Martin

AFTER an "unnecessary and frustrating" four-month delay, Adani has jumped over its last major legal hurdle with the Senate passing the Native Title Amendment Bill yesterday.

The bill aimed to resolve uncertainty for 120 Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUA) for major projects, including Adani's $16.5 million Carmichael coal mine.

The amendments follow the McGlade judgment in the Full Federal Court on February 1, which declared all named applicants on a registered native title claim must sign the ILUA.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australian Matt Canavan said while there were still six outstanding court cases regarding Native Title, Adani remained unphased and was pushing forward.

Some of the cases include a group of Whitsunday residents who are against dumping and have lodged an appeal on the Abbot Point port approval.

"They (Adani) are proceeding regardless because the prospects of a win or the court overturning approvals are slim," Senator Canavan said.

"They don't think they have any prospect of success and Adani are confident that they can proceed now.

"It's all systems go."

Adani had also struck six indigenous land use agreements with four traditional owner groups - the Juru, Jaeggi, Berrimah and Wangan & Jagalingou Native Title groups.

The Wangan & Jagalingou agreement was approved by a vote of 294-1.

Senator Canavan said the country had waited long enough.

"This is great news for people who want to work hard," he said.

"There will be real jobs created in a matter of months."

During the Senate hearing yesterday, Senator Ian Macdonald also moved a motion in support of Adani, which was passed by both sides of government, excluding the Greens.

The motion included congratulating the federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for their leadership in bringing the Adani coal mine another step closer to being a reality and recognised the much- needed boost to employment in north Queensland that Adani will deliver.

Senator Macdonald said it was very exciting news.

"A delay of four months was absolutely unnecessary and frustrating," he said.

"The Greens wasted practically most of Tuesday and Wednesday."

Former chairman of the Prime Minister's Indigenous Advisory Council Warren Mundine said it was brilliant news.

"For me Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices were heard yesterday," he said.

"They have been asking for this since 2008.

"I have to congratulate the government for getting it through.

"This was the last major hurdle for Adani to jump.

"Rural and regional Australia can get to business to create jobs."

Originally published as Adani jumps last hurdle as Native Title bill passes