Indigenous interest and industry strike new compact
Australia’s economic growth has been built on its willingness to adapt and embrace the new. We have expanded and diversified our minerals and technology sectors. We have seed-funded new industries, such as renewable energy and IT. And we have supported the development of tourism, higher education and other people-based sectors.
However, what we haven’t done is change the way Indigenous Australians are included in the nation’s economic future. Economic development for Indigenous communities remains an elusive goal, particularly for those companies whose projects directly affect Aboriginal traditional owners. This is despite the vast wind energy, solar arrays and hydrogen projects being located on traditional lands.
The rise of the green economy and the impact of net zero have created an economic landscape that demands critical minerals and rare earth elements on a hitherto unknown scale. The proposed hydrogen production and critical minerals tax incentives provide an insight into the need of this sector for future economic stability.
If Australia can increase its production of critical and rare earth minerals, it can stabilise international access to these minerals and become a leading nation in the green energy transition.
The Indigenous estate also is increasing. The existing 270 Indigenous corporations, with statutory roles representing native title holders, soon will exceed 300.
Each of these corporations provides a vehicle to foster economic activity in their communities and to support the development of industry in their regions. These prescribed bodies corporate will be an important feature of the new economic environment. They cannot be ignored in the drive to expand resource extraction and renewable energy projects. It is irrefutable that native title negotiations have led to the delivery of thousands of projects on native title land over several decades.
Despite this success, government and industry leaders remain ambivalent about the role and status of traditional owners and their organisations. This ambivalence is part of the cause of the desperate economic and social need of remote and rural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that is recognised across the political spectrum. Gaps in life expectancy, wellbeing and economic status can be effectively addressed by some long-overdue reforms.
We are at an important crossroads for such reform, where the needs of traditional owners and the economy meet. Key industry sectors have an urgent need for resources in areas owned by Aboriginal traditional owners or subject to native title negotiating rights. These green energy projects have the potential to deliver broader economic development and increased wellbeing for local communities and towns.
There are obvious reforms that are long overdue to unleash this potential, some of a legal nature and some policy settings that have been delayed by a lack of clear evidence-based thinking and willingness to modernise. Charting a way forward that encompasses respect for Aboriginal traditional owner rights and the need to develop the economy is the key task being addressed by the new Mabo Centre.
Providing an Indigenous-led consideration of rights, the Mabo Centre is a unique partnership between the National Native Title Council, the peak body of native title and other traditional owner bodies, and the University of Melbourne, Australia’s leading university. The Mabo Centre aims to work in this nexus between policy and people, providing resources and support for traditional owner groups and Indigenous corporations, to enable better economic outcomes through realisation of their land and sea rights.
Through relevant research, with Australian and international perspectives, it will support industry by providing an evidence base demonstrating improved outcomes from best practice and by providing industry-focused training programs. The Mabo Centre will create a forum for industry and traditional owner groups to develop mutually beneficial strategies and approaches to doing business.
The recently announced Review of the Future Acts Regime of the Native Title Act 1993 makes clear the concerns across the regulatory sector. After 32 years of native title, it’s time to bring about effective change in the administration of native title. Doing so will create an environment that improves the economic potential and status of traditional owners. The relationship between the rights of traditional owners and economic growth from resources must be examined rigorously to effect change and prevent unnecessary conflicts and delays. Balancing the interests of traditional owners in protecting their country – their cultural and environmental heritage – against those of industry requires a deeper understanding of legislation, policy settings and the challenges.
Indigenous interests encompass shared property interests in more than 50 per cent of the Australian land mass and this is expected to increase to 65 per cent by 2030. Negotiating in good faith with Indigenous Australians will be essential to an efficient and socially responsible business climate.
The Mabo Centre will provide the research, training and support to these traditional owner representative institutions. It will focus on how Indigenous rights can create nationwide benefits. We have an unprecedented opportunity to realise traditional owner rights in natural resource projects so that all will thrive economically and socially. We are prepared for this challenge.
Jamie Lowe is chief executive of the National Native Title Council and co-chairman of the Mabo Centre. Marcia Langton is associate provost at the University of Melbourne and co-chairwoman of the Mabo Centre.
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