NT land council hails historic federal land rights reform package

The head of the Northern Territory Land Council has hailed a federal package of reforms to the NT Aboriginal Land Rights Act, announced by acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack in Barunga, as a historic moment for Aboriginal Territorians.

THE head of the Northern Territory Land Council has hailed a federal package of reforms to the NT Aboriginal Land Rights Act, announced by acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack in Barunga, as a historic moment for Aboriginal Territorians.

NLC chairman Mr Sammy Bush-Blanasi said the reforms, co-designed with the Northern Territory land councils, mean Aboriginal Territorians will finally have control over how money generated from mining on their land is spent.

“This will allow Aboriginal people to invest in more Aboriginal jobs and support culture and community for our grandchildren and beyond,” Mr Bush-Blanasi said.

The centrepiece of the reforms is a new Aboriginal-controlled corporate federal entity, funded from the Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA), to decide on and administer grants and investments in the Northern Territory.

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As well as the ABA entity, the ALRA reforms also include amendments to:

• Enhance local decision-making and business certainty on Aboriginal land by strengthening community entity township leasing, and
• Activate the potential of Aboriginal land by streamlining arrangements for exploration and mining licenses, while maintaining strong controls for traditional owners.

The new body will receive an initial $500 million endowment and ongoing funding of $60 million per year to secure a sustainable economic future for generations of Aboriginal Territorians, alongside administrative costs.

The federal government will progress legislation to make the reforms this year.

Federal Indigenous Minister Ken Wyatt said the new body will empower Aboriginal people in the NT to maximise the economic future of their families and communities for generations to come.

“The new body will consult widely across the Northern Territory to set funding priorities and will have strong governance with a Board of Aboriginal leaders, government representatives and independent financial experts to ensure the best outcomes for Aboriginal people,” Mr Wyatt said.

Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack at a private dinner in Darwin. Picture: Supplied

Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack said these generational reforms were key to the traditional owners having the right to free, prior and informed consent to land use and development proposals.

Mr McCormack also attended at private dinner at the Cav Hotel in Darwin on Saturday night.