Historic day for Aboriginal Territorians

Joint Media Release

The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP

Minister for Indigenous Australians

Senator Sam McMahon

Senator for the Northern Territory

The Morrison Government has today passed the most comprehensive set of reforms to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 since its enactment.

The centrepiece of the Economic Empowerment Bill is a new corporate Commonwealth entity, the Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation (NTAIC), to invest funding from the Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA).

“The passage of these historic reforms signals a new era of economic and social empowerment for Aboriginal people in the NT,” Minister Wyatt said.

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

“Decision making about a significant portion of mining royalty equivalents will now move from Canberra to the NT – where it belongs.

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

“As a Commonwealth entity, it will keep the highest levels of governance and oversight, but this legislation puts the decision making in the hands of Aboriginal people.”

Senator for the Northern Territory Dr Sam McMahon said the legislation will allow Indigenous Territorians to benefit economically and socially from resources on their own land.

“I welcome the passing of this legislation which will give indigenous people control over activities on their own land,” Dr McMahon said.

Chair of the Northern Land Council, Mr Samuel Bush-Blanasi, said the Northern Territory Land Councils are pleased with the Bill.

“When the Bill was introduced in August, I said Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory will see the benefits of these changes for generations to come. With its passage, we can now get the NTAIC up and running to make this happen,” Mr Bush-Blanasi said.

“These changes show just how much Aboriginal people can achieve when we have a seat at the table.”

Minister Wyatt said the NTAIC will receive an initial injection of $500 million as well as $60 million a year for the first three years to get it firmly established, and ongoing funding after that.

“This was more than a vote on a Bill, it was a vote of confidence in Aboriginal Territorians, who have now been given control to invest in their own social, cultural and economic aspirations, using money generated from their land.

“The reforms also include improvements to community controlled township leases, fixes to the permit system and make mining and exploration licence processes clearer and more efficient, while strengthening the rights of Traditional Owners.

“With the Bill now passed, the Morrison Government can focus on getting the NTAIC operational in 2022. In the meantime, ABA funding will still be available through the existing grants process.

“Passage of the Land Rights Act in 1976 was an act of bipartisanship and I am proud to see these reforms also passed with that same level of commitment from both sides.”