What you said about native title freehold claims after Qld gov denies Right for Information

Do we need more transparency, or just less madness when it comes to the native title debate? HAVE YOUR SAY

Native title remains a hot topic.

Do we need more transparency, or just less madness?

The full spectrum of the native title debate is on display after the state government refused to release details on a raft of Aboriginal freehold land claims for Queensland towns, blocking access to ­dozens of documents over fears it could trample First Nations groups’ intellectual property rights and breach dead ­people’s ­privacy.

It follows a Right to Information application for documents relating to expressions of interest by Indigenous corporations and groups for freehold transfers of state land across Queensland.

The transfers, made under the Aboriginal Land Act, have caused uproar in communities, including Eurong and Happy Valley on K’gari (Fraser Island) and Toobeah near Goondiwindi.

In a letter advising that the documents would be kept secret, an RTI officer said she had received advice from the ­Native Title and Indigenous Land Services unit that land transfer applications were treated confidentially.

It said the applications may contain culturally sensitive material about a person’s or group’s connection to the land, which triggers intellectual property of the applicant.

Land transfer applications could also name dead people, “which if released would breach the privacy of the deceased (and) may offend Aboriginal people in accordance with culture or custom”.

K’gari is another land transfer site.

The RTI officer said she had decided that releasing the information would breach the confidence of Aboriginal people.

Readers, though, weren’t buying the argument, with many claiming transparency is needed over an issue already dividing the nation.

Others took aim at Labor for allowing this topic to rumble on, while some said the time for change has come.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

We need transparency

IanH

The excuses for not releasing the applications are spurious. Somehow, they don’t apply to the people who have to read and decide these applications. Are they different from the rest of the community? Many non-Indigenous people may have genuine interests in the land, and in many cases have much more connection to it than the applicants. The secrecy does not sit well with open, rational discussion.

Wayne

As far as I am concerned the whole Native Title should be turned around and the land given back to all Australians This is all our country and No one should have the right to say what can and can’t happen. It is here for all of us to enjoy.

Chris

It would be good to know how much money also is given out for the ‘custodians’ to maintain the land they have been given? It might be a surprising number.

Phillip

The original conditions for native title claims, following the Mabo decision, were that capital cities and freehold land could not be claimed. Who changed the rules, and when?

RogerJ

This Labor government is not going to release this information so close to an election. Transparency for Labor would ruin their motto “whatever it takes”.

Native title claims continue to stir up the state.

This is craziness

Peter

Apparently “NO” doesn’t mean no anymore

Brian

As my family were pioneers and explorers we also have a connection to the land. where do we sign up. Ridiculous! Pandering to a minority with taxpayers. Queenslanders . deserve transparency before the election where we don’t want Giggles or Cristafullofit! NO means NO

Anthony

The only reason they are hiding the details of this land grab is because they know the majority of Queenslanders are against it. After all 70% of us voted against this just 12 months ago in the failed Voice Referendum.

Marilyn

I want to know where Crisafulli and the LNP stand on this. What’s their policies?

Are they going to put a stop to this consistent land grab?

Wayne

As far as I am concerned the whole Native Title should be turned around and the land given back to all Australians This is all our country and No one should have the right to say what can and can’t happen. It is here for all of us to enjoy.

Toobeah, near Goondiwindi, has been divided since the government’s plans to transfer the 210ha town reserve to the Bigambul Native Title Aboriginal Corporation were revealed.

Labor must go

Paul

Can you imagine what will happen if these two state and federal govts get back in. That’ll be the end of this country as we know it. It’ll change for the worse forever.

Desmond

Current Labor governments acting like full blown communists, dump the lot ASAP!

smith, winston

Labor is busy implementing irreversible changes to Queensland. This damage can never be undone. And, in secret, Labor is rushing to get it done before being punted.

Wayne

How can this Labor govt continually get away with keeping so much information hidden from the QLD public? This has got to stop!

Originally published as What you said about native title freehold claims after Qld gov denies Right for Information