The Future of Native Title
The Australian Government has announced it will drive reforms to the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) to ensure a sustainable and fair native title system that creates economic and social opportunities for Indigenous Australians.
Speaking at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Native Title Conference in Townsville, Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and Minister for Families, Communities and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin said that 20 years on from Mabo with native title well entrenched in Australian law, it is now time to look forward to shape the next 20 years.
“Twenty years after Mabo, I am pleased to announce a package of legislative reforms to the Native Title Act,” Minister Roxon said.
Minister Macklin announced the terms of reference for a review of native title organisations, to ensure the system is delivering for Indigenous people and communities. The review will examine not only Native Title Representative Bodies and Native Title Service Providers, but also consider the role and impact of other service providers to native title groups.
The Australian Government also announced $7.8 million additional funding to support native title groups:
- $5.4 million to The Aurora Education Foundation expand their current training, professional development and scholarship program for native title organisations.
- $2.4 million to continue the important work of the native title research unit of Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
Find out more
- Read the joint media release.
- Learn more about Native Title on the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department website.
- The Australian Insititute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies runs the Native Title Research Unit which was established in 1993 in response to the High Court decision in Mabo v Queensland (No.2) (1992), which recognises Indigenous peoples' rights to land under the legal concept of native title. The research unit's activities are supported through funding from the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.