Aboriginal land rights reforms heralded as historic

Reforms to Aboriginal land rights have been heralded the most historic changes in more than 50 years.

REFORMS to Aboriginal land rights have been herald the most historic changes since Vincent Lingiari walked off Wave Hill station in 1966.

Passed by the federal government on Wednesday, the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment (Economic Empowerment) Bill 2021 will enact a series of long-awaited reforms.

Key to the changes will be the formation of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation (NTAIC) which will be responsible for distributing grants from the Aboriginal Benefits Account (ABA).

The account will be overseen by a series of community appointed Aboriginal leaders that will manage the distribution of funds from mining royalties on Aboriginal lands.

The landmark change removes the control from the Federal Government and gives economic decision making back to Aboriginal communities.

Northern Land Council chairman Samuel Bush-Blanasi said Aboriginal communities had advocated for the changes which will give them greater control over their futures.

Kakadu traditional owners call for review of parks management, speaking to media chairman of the NLC Samuel Bush-Blanasi Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

“When Aboriginal people are at the table and have a say on big decisions, we make things better for Traditional Owners and for our children and our grandchildren,” he said.

The reforms will also include a new process for Traditional Owners to apply for and reclaim town leases, which will enable Aboriginal communities to make decisions about education, health, housing and land use in their communities.

Mr Bush-Blanasi said Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory will see the benefits of these changes for generations to come.

Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt, said these historic reforms are a new era of economic and social empowerment for Aboriginal people in the Territory.

Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

“The legislation is the culmination of nearly four years of co-design work with the Northern Territory Land Councils, Aboriginal Territorians and Government,” he said.

“The Aboriginal-led Board of the NTAIC will use ABA funding to invest in projects that enhance social and cultural outcomes and support intergenerational wealth.”

Mr Wyatt said NTAIC will keep the highest levels of governance and oversight, but the legislation puts the decision making in the hands of Aboriginal people.

NTAIC will receive an initial injection of $500 million as well as $60 million a year for the first three years. The ABA currently has $1.3b in royalties.

The vote to pass the bill moves land rights forward to encompass economic determination, which can be invested by Aboriginal Territorians in social, cultural, education and economic aspirations.

Originally published as Aboriginal land rights reforms heralded as historic