Traditional owners of Jabiru now a hair’s breadth from destiny as historic laws pass lower house

Significant land rights legislation that will allow traditional owners of Jabiru in Kakadu National Park to regain control of their township has passed through the lower house of federal parliament.

SIGNIFICANT land rights legislation that will allow traditional owners of Jabiru in Kakadu National Park to regain control of their township has passed through the lower house of federal parliament.

It is now as little as two steps away from becoming law. More than three months after being introduced, amendments to the Aboriginal Land Act that would make Jabiru Aboriginal land under law and allow a long-term township lease, passed through the lower house and will now make their way up to the Senate.

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If the Bill is passed without amendments in the Senate, it will be assented.

In light of the ongoing copyright fight surrounding the Aboriginal flag, lower house MPs used debate around the Jabiru laws to “free the flag” from being restricted by rules around how it is used commercially.

Opposition Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Linda Burney said returning Jabiru to its rightful traditional owners, the Mirarr, would allow the community to “chart their own destiny”.

“The Mirarr community entity owned township lease will provide a local decision-making entity. It will allow the management of the lease to be put directly into the hands of the traditional owners, who will be able to make decisions that uphold their cultural connection to land,” she said.

“Now, finally, they have the opportunity to chart their own destiny, to manage their own affairs.”