Fears over landmark ruling for Kabi Kabi native title in Sunshine Coast, Noosa

For those who have decided the world is ending because of a Queensland native title determination, please take the advice of the great songstress of our time Taylor Swift and calm down, writes Letea Cavander.

Old Woman Island, also known as Mudjimba Island, is part of Kabi Kabi native title after a ruling in the federal court today.

There is a famous Taylor Swift song and she has a bit of a go at the keyboard warriors on social media who attack the LGBTQ+ community.

It is titled You Need to Calm Down and is a completely apt line and title for those out there who have decided native title for the Kabi Kabi people over parts of the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay is suddenly going to make them lose their rights on their own property or pay to enter national parks.

The native title area covers major parts of the Sunshine Coast and Noosa, the Burnett ranges and parts of the Wide Bay.

The Kabi Kabi started the claim process about 14 years ago when consultant anthropologist Dr Anthony Redmond was contracted to complete an anthropological report for the Kabi Kabi people.

The federal court process, which has resulted in a formal recognition of the Kabi Kabi as native title holders, began in 2013 so it was a more than 10-year process and not something that was thrown together overnight.

Taylor Swift offers some good advice for those getting a little hot under the collar over native title.

Some concerns shared by commenters included one that stated: “How long before there are security guards stopping people at the gates and roads of these native title areas”.

The Queensland South Native Title Services CEO Tim Wishart said native title was not a threat to anyone.

The service has represented the Kabi Kabi in the claim and it rejected any suggestion that the likely ruling could see anyone charged to access any areas such as national parks.

Another commenter: “I thought we all voted against all this rubbish and the millions they spent getting our answer.”

Well, no, the recent referendum was about, the permanent enshrining in the Constitution of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

They are two completely different issues and quite frankly it worries me greatly that some commenters did not know what that recent referendum vote was about.

The view across the Maroochy River to Mt Coolum on the Sunshine Coast.

And this commenter who seems to be lining up a property agent: “I’m thinking of selling my property of well over 100 acres which falls in this land grab and backs onto a national park. If this minority expect access to the land I purchased legally they can purchase it at a fair market price.”

Under Australian law, native title does not override legal ownership of private land.

I am all for robust discussion regarding issues including native title and The Voice referendum.

But in the words of the great Tay Tay, to those picking up their pitchforks and sitting down behind a keyboard, you need to calm down and please do a bit of reading up on the subjects first.

And by reading up I do not mean strings of Facebook comments or posts. I mean news stories, academic papers, or really anything that has been verified.

Originally published as Fears over landmark ruling for Kabi Kabi native title in Sunshine Coast, Noosa