Native Title in the News - May 2015
|
DATE |
STATE |
SUBJECT |
SUMMARY |
SOURCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
29 May 2015 |
Queensland |
Queensland Indigenous group takes miners to court |
The Wangan and Jagalingou people, which have a native title claim over 30,000 square kilometres of central Queensland, have escalated their battle with Indian mining firm Adani. They have lodging a legal bid to overturn a decision that clears the way for the $16.5 billion Carmichael mine. |
The Guardian, Australia, Sydney Morning Herald – Federal Politics, Australia, ABC News, Australia, 9 news, Australia, 29 May 2015 The Economic Times, India, |
|
29 May 2015 |
Australia |
Significant occasion |
In 2015, Reconciliation Week follows National Sorry Day on May, 26 which is the anniversary of the tabling of the ‘Bringing Them Home’ report on the Stolen Generation in Federal parliament. The final day of Reconciliation Week, June 3, is the anniversary of the handing down of the Mabo Decision by the High Court of Australia. Mabo was a turning point for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights, because it acknowledged their unique connection with the land. It also led to the Australian Parliament passing the Native Title Act 1993. |
The Singleton Argus, Australia, 29 May 2015 |
|
28 May 2015 |
Australia |
FSC releases native title standard for trustees |
The Financial Services Council (FSC) have released a Cultural Capability in Native Title Services Standard which aims to build strong partnerships between trustees and Indigenous communities founded on equality, mutual respect, and recognition of the knowledge and skills gaps on both sides. |
Independent financial adviser, Australia, 28 May 2015 Prwire, Australia, 28 May 2015 |
|
27 May 2015 |
Australia |
Controversial Indigenous advancement strategy gets $100m funding boost |
The Coalition announced that the first round of funding for the controversial Indigenous advancement strategy has been given a boost of more than $100 million, with renegotiated offers adding up to $1 billion. Nigel Scullion, the federal minister for Indigenous affairs said that more than half has gone to Indigenous organisations, which make up 46% of the recipients. |
The Guardian, Australia, Indigenous.gov.au, Australia, |
|
27 May 2015 |
Northern Territory |
Aboriginal communities in the Alligator Rivers Region |
Royce Namarnyilk, a Mirrar man, has been working at the Jabiru Field Station in the Alligator Rivers Region as a part of the Australian Government’s commitment to working with Aboriginal communities affected by the nearby Ranger uranium mine. Royce is engaged in on-the-job training including water and air monitoring and is able to take his knowledge back to his community at Madjinbardi. “I’m learning how my country is being cared for,” Royce said. These employment opportunities give Traditional Owners the chance to gain technical skills and exchange their knowledge of country with the Australian Government while gaining a greater understanding of the work that’s being done in their region. |
Indigenous.gov.au, Australia, |
|
27 May 2015 |
Western Australia |
Government launches Anketell acquisition |
The State Government says it has started the formal process of acquiring land for the Anketell Port project in the Pilbara. Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett said “last year, the Government signed a $20 million native title agreement with the Ngarluma people over 4300 hectares of land covering the planned Anketell site. Now, the State Government is ready to proceed with the next step of the agreement by acquiring this land, providing further certainty to port proponents and interested parties.” |
The West Australian, Australia, 27 May 2015 Mining Weekly, Australia, |
|
27 May 2015 |
Western Australia |
Change it up and sing loud to celebrate reconciliation week in Bunbury |
To celebrate national reconciliation week, Bunbury Primary School has had a visit from three members from the Southwest Aboriginal Education Team who spoke about the Noongar people and the impact that settlement had on their lives. Education team leader Merv Kelly said it was a fantastic opportunity to pass on aboriginal culture and perspectives and see the students so engaged. |
The Bunbury Mail, Australia, |
|
26 May 2015 |
Western Australia |
Ancient Noongar knowledge and western science come together in Perth documentary for WA Day |
A new film, ‘Walking Together – Belonging to Country’ will screen in Perth on WA Day, telling the story of Noongar knowledge of the Swan River catchment and its similarities to western science. The film’s director explained that "essentially it's about the connection that we all have to country". |
ABC News, Australia, |
|
26 May 2015 |
Australia |
First Glance at the 2015 Melbourne International Film Festival’s killer program |
The first glance selection has just been released of the films to be shown at the 2015 Melbourne International Film Festival. Six Australian-made films will be screened, one notable film ‘Putuparri and the Rainmakers’ tells the story of a man’s fight for his family’s native title and the survival of Aboriginal law and culture. |
Bourne, Australia, 26 May 2015 |
|
25 May 2015 |
Queensland |
Senator Colbeck: Forestry linked to economic and social benefits in Cape York |
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Senator Colbeck, is in Cape York this week to look at opportunities for traditional owners to take control of the forest resources on their land. |
Indigenous.gov.au, Australia, |
|
25 May 2015 |
Western Australia |
National MPs unlikely to support changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act |
With Nationals MPs unlikely to support the changes, the West Australian Government is under pressure to ditch, or dramatically alter, its planned changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act. |
ABC News, Australia, |
|
25 May 2015 |
South Australia |
South Australians debate the role of nuclear fuel in the state’s future |
A royal commission is investigating how South Australia, which is home to the country's largest deposits of uranium, could use the nuclear fuel source in the future. Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands communities have raised a number of issues with the Commission already saying "there is a good chance that you will not be putting a waste dump in metropolitan Adelaide region, you will be looking north of Port Augusta, whether it is native title land or freehold land." |
ABC Rural, Australia, |
|
25 May 2015 |
Queensland |
Indigenous land rights stoush over rowing facility |
The Maroochy River Rowing Club and the Kabi Kabi First Nation people are in a dispute over building approval for the clubs storage facility on Indigenous land. |
The Sunshine Coast Daily, Australia, 25 May 2015 |
|
25 May 2015 |
Australia |
Why Aboriginal people need autonomy over their food supply |
This article explores the role of native title to allow traditional owners to hunt and fish on their traditional lands for food security, availability and health improvements. |
The Conversation, Australia, |
|
22 May 2015 |
Australia |
Patrick Dodson raises concerns over Noel Pearson’s model for recognition |
Indigenous leader Patrick Dodson has raised concerns about Noel Pearson’s proposal to recognise the First Australians outside the constitution as an “Australian Declaration of Recognition”, warning it was "very risky" to rely on the goodwill of politicians to serve the interests of Indigenous people. |
The Sydney Morning Herald – Federal Politics, Australia, |
|
22 May 2015 |
Northern Territory |
Small parcel of land in the Northern Territory on verge of being added to the Ord Irrigation Scheme |
A small parcel of land in the Northern Territory is set to be added to the Ord Irrigation Scheme for farming, in what would be a major milestone for the Ord expansion project. Lorraine Corowa, Director of the NT's Ord Development Unit, said native title negotiations were progressing well and "a deal" was expected in the next couple of months. |
ABC Rural, Australia, |
|
21 May 2015 |
South Australia |
Aboriginal bones found at Encounter Bay |
On Friday May 15, SA Power Networks dug holes for cables to be run for the national broadband network on Franklin Parade. An NBN Co. spokesperson said the company has worked together with the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority in all aspects of the cabling rollout, with the aim of protecting Ngarrindjeri heritage. Darrell Sumner, of Ngarrindjeri Heritage and Ngarrindjeri Native Title, confirmed the bones were from the Ngarrindjeri nation and estimated they were at least 200-years-old. A traditional smoking ceremony was held on Saturday to rebury the bones as close as possible to their place of discovery. |
The Victor Harbour Times, Australia, 21 May 2015 |
|
21 May 2015 |
Australia |
Fisheries changes angling for comment |
An independent report has been released for public comment which proposes changes to commercial, recreational and traditional fishing. For traditional fishers, the report said there should be "greater recognition of traditional use rights and the establishment of a framework that can accommodate determinations outside fisheries law, such as Native Title." |
PSnews online, Australia, |
|
20 May 2015 |
Australia |
Indigenous leaders tackle barriers to property rights |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda and Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson convened the Indigenous Leaders Roundtable in Broome. They explorde the challenges and opportunities of property rights after native title. Commissioner Gooda said “native title is only the starting point for our people in reclaiming land. The next step is being able to freely exercise our rights to promote economic development and build housing to the advantage of our communities.” |
Australian Human Rights Commission, Australia, ABC – 7:30, Australia, Lateline, Australia, 19 May 2015 The Saturday Paper, Australia, 23 May 2015 The Guardian, Australia, |
|
20 May 2015 |
New South Wales |
Broken Head DA heads to court |
The Arakwal Bundjalung people are showing strong opposition to a proposed housing development at the old Broken Head Quarry at Suffolk. The group is seeking respect for the traditional Aboriginal Ti Tree Lake birthing place that is part of the site. |
Echo Netdaily, Australia, |
|
19 May 2015 |
Australia |
Australia’s greatest shame: tearing people from their ancestral homes |
With the Government planning on removing funding for services in remote Indigenous communities, they have been stating for quite some time that they will send ‘auditors’ to Homeland communities. Residents of Jigalong said they do not want any audit to determine whether they should exist as a community or not. “One person said that the only way many of us will leave Jigalong will be in body bags.” |
News.com.au, Australia, The Stringer, Australia, |
|
18 May 2015 |
Queensland |
Traditional owners ‘disgusted’ Queensland Government did not consult before opening land for gas exploration |
The Queensland Government said 11,000 square kilometres in the Cooper and Eromanga basins would be made available for gas exploration. But Mithaka traditional owner Scott Gorringe said he was extremely concerned and disgusted as there was no consultation with locals about the exploration on their native title lands. |
ABC Rural, Australia, |
|
18 May 2015 |
Australia |
John Koowarta’s case and the Racial Discrimination Act at 40 |
It’s been 40 years since the Whitlam government pushed through the 1975 Racial Discrimination Act, but the law’s creators weren’t even sure it was constitutional until the High Court decided on a Queensland land rights battle. |
Radio National ABC, Australia, 18 May 2015 |
|
18 May 2015 |
Western Australia |
First crops for KAI |
Shanghai Zhongfu-owned Kimberley Agricultural Investment finished planting about 250ha with chia and sorghum, two-and-a-half years after being named as the State Government-preferred developer of farmland on the Ord River irrigation scheme. KAI settled a native-title agreement with traditional owners the Miriuwung and Gajerrong to develop the Ord land. The Gooniyandi people are looking to negotiate a native-title settlement that would allow the lessees of Gogo Station near Fitzroy Crossing to push ahead with a 15,000 hectare irrigation project. |
The West Australian, Australia, 18 May 2015 |
|
18 May 2015 |
Northern Territory |
In the heart of rainbow serpent country |
The Jawoyn people won their native title over their land after an 11 year fight. The traditional owners believe the rainbow serpent carved his way through the rock, creating the gorges in his own image and that he still resides there. They view the land as their mother and they claimed back official responsibility to make sure she's looked after. Now they jointly manage the park along with the Northern Territory government and Nitmiluk Tours operate all the accommodation, from campsites to chalets to the luxurious Cicada Lodge, and activities such as canoe hire, boat tours, and helicopter trips. |
Daily Mail, Australia, |
|
16 May 2015 |
Queensland |
Opinion: Aurukun Bauxite Development urging Palaszczuk Government to revoke Glencore lease and give traditional owners a fair go |
Aurukun Bauxite Development director Gina Castelain has urged the government to revoke the Glencore lease and grant it to the traditional owners. Castelain said the native title holders retained 15 per cent equity and had two seats on the board of Aurukun Bauxite Development. She said the 15 per cent could not be diluted and over the 20-year life of the proposed mine would bring income of $500 million to $600 million depending on the price of bauxite. And there would be 500 jobs and billions in royalties for Queensland. She has warned Glencore that they will have a fight on their hands. |
The Courier Mail – News, Australia, 16 May 2015 |
|
14 May 2015 |
Northern Territory |
Minister Scullion: Certainty for remote homelands in the Northern Territory |
Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said the Commonwealth Government is providing funding certainty for remote Indigenous communities across Australia, including in the Northern Territory. |
Indigenous.gov.au, Australia, |
|
14 May 2015 |
Queensland |
Queensland government opens a new resources frontier |
The Queensland State Government put 11,000 square kilometres of western Queensland out to tender for exploration. Successful tenderers will receive a petroleum and gas authority to prospect exploration permit for a six-year term after meeting environmental, land access and native title requirements. |
The Courier Mail, Australia, The Observer, Australia, 14 May 2014 Mining Weekly, Australia, |
|
14 May 2015 |
Australia |
Keep the faith! Pitfalls to avoid when negotiating with native title parties |
Two recent decisions of the National Native Title Tribunal (Collins v Nguddaboolgan, decided on 25 March 2015, and Rusa Resources v Wajarri Yamatji, decided on 2 April 2015) provide illustrations on how not to conduct native title negotiations. |
Clayton Utz, Australia, |
|
13 May 2015 |
Queensland |
High Court rules native title in Queensland not extinguished by World War II military orders |
The High Court has ruled a World War Two military order over land in Queensland's Atherton Tablelands did not extinguish native title for the Bar Barrum people of the area. |
ABC News, Australia, News.com.au, Australia, Cowra Community News, Australia, 13 May 2015 Lexology, Australia, |
|
13 May 2015 |
Western Australia |
Miner, councillor apply to host nuclear waste facility in regional WA |
Iron ore miner Gindalbie Metals and a Goldfields councillor have made applications to host a low-level radioactive waste dump in separate regions of Western Australia. Gindalbie confirmed it nominated Badja Station in the Shire of Yalgoo in WA's Mid West as a potential site, while the other proposed site would be in the northern Goldfields. |
ABC News, Australia, Online opinion, Australia, |
|
13 May 2015 |
Australia |
PM’s controversial flagship Indigenous program overlooked in budget |
The Government's controversial Indigenous Advancement Strategy was only given a minor funding addition this year. |
SBS, Australia, 13 May 2015 |
|
13 May 2015 |
Australia |
Federal Budget 2015: Why Australia’s nuclear waste legacy will cost $27 million |
The Abbott government will spend nearly $27 million over four years to return radioactive waste that has been treated in the United Kingdom. In the “least worst option" the material will be stored in a temporary, purpose-built storage facility at Lucas Heights while Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane examines possible sites for a future Australian nuclear waste dump. |
The Sydney Morning Herald – Business Day, Australia, |
|
13 May 2015 |
Australia |
Federal Budget 2015: Spend $5b Top End fund wisely, warns AACo |
One of the country's leading farm companies AACo, has urged the government to ensure that the $5 billion northern Australia infrastructure fund plug in to existing business operations to avoid building white elephants in remote areas. But the government's top Indigenous policy adviser Warren Mundine has welcomed the budget measure because it will help open up the region and offer significant employment opportunities for Indigenous people. |
Financial Review, Australia, |
|
12 May 2015 |
Australia |
New benchmark for Tribunal IT |
The National Native Title Tribunal has announced an upgrade of its website to provide additional online search functions. The first improvement to the website has been to the search capability of the National Native Title Register (NNTR). "A new search field has been added so that it is possible to search the NNTR for details of any Registered Native Title Body Corporate that has been entered onto the Register," the Tribunal said. |
PSnews online, Australia, |
|
12 May 2015 |
Western Australia |
Comment: Changes to Aboriginal Heritage Act threaten Aboriginal sacred sites in WA |
Although the ancient Indigenous rock art on the Burrup Peninsula is thousands of years old, the WA government has de-registered it as a sacred site. |
SBS, Australia, 12 May 2015 |
|
11 May 2015 |
Australia |
Big miners BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto’s ‘flood the market tactics’ threaten Australia’s prosperity |
The price of our nation’s biggest export earner, iron ore, has halved in just six months. State and native title royalties and jobs to all Australians, and Indigenous Australians in particular are falling. |
The Daily Telegraph, Australia, 11 May 2015 |
|
10 May 2015 |
Australia |
Protest loses its message |
The string of protests regarding the government funding of services to hundreds of remote Indigenous communities, which have shut down central Melbourne and caused commuter and traffic chaos, do nothing for the cause demonstrators are pursuing. |
The Herald Sun, Australia, |
|
9 May 2015 |
Queensland |
Indigenous group needs funds to fight Adani |
Adrian Burragubba started a fundraising campaign to finance a court battle against the Indian mining giant Adani, the major investor in the controversial Carmichael Mine. He represents the Wangan and Jagalingou (W & J) Traditional Owners Council for the Wangan and Jagalingou people but they need more funds to be able to push through with the legal battle. |
Asian Correspondent, Australia, 9 May 2015 Financial Review, Australia, 20 May 2015 |
|
8 May 2015 |
Australia |
Calls to restore hundreds of millions of dollars in Indigenous funding |
The Abbott Government is being urged by the Closing the Gap campaign committee to restore hundreds of millions of dollars in funding axed from Indigenous groups and services. They are urging to Treasurer Joe Hockey to reverse cuts made in his previous budget, as well as quarantine current funding from any further saving measures. |
SBS, Australia, 8 May 2015 |
|
8 May 2015 |
Northern Territory |
Northern Land Council chief Joe Morrison calls for Indigenous involvement in NT development talks |
The Northern Land Council's chief Joe Morrison called for a fundamental shift in the way the NT talked about economic development on Indigenous land as traditional owners were not being included in conversations about developing the north currently. |
ABC News, Australia, |
|
8 May 2015 |
Australia |
Fleeting government’s policies have permanent consequences for Aboriginal homelands |
150 communities are threatened with closure by the federal government's decision to cut $30 million in funding, with disturbing consequences for Indigenous clans and their culture. |
The Sydney Morning Herald – National, Australia, 8 May 2015 |
|
7 May 2015 |
Western Australia |
Lift the shackles and remote communities will thrive |
Last week WA Premier Colin Barnett acknowledged his suggestion of closing 150 remote indigenous communities was “a bit bald”. He’s now given an assurance no one will be forced from their land. There are great opportunities available in northern Australia, but we need more people living and working in the north to be able to realise these opportunities. Many indigenous people have big dreams and aspirations for their small remote communities. |
The Herald Sun, Australia, |
|
7 May 2015 |
Northern Territory |
Minister Scullion: Land handover to Yanyuwa People |
Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, delivered a deed of grant to members of the Wurralibi (No 2) Aboriginal Land Trust to return more than 200 hectares of land to its traditional owners at Jawuma near Borroloola in the Northern Territory. Minister Scullion said “the land around Jawuma is of great cultural and historical significance for the Yanyuwa people of the area and I am pleased the title is now back with its rightful owners.” |
Indigenous.gov.au, Australia, |
|
7 May 2015 |
Queensland |
Sea country recognition celebrates traditional resource use |
Yirrganydji Traditional Owner Gavin Singleton was part of the group that developed the first Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement between the Australian and Queensland Government and north Queensland’s Yirrganydji people. Under the agreement, traditional use of marine resources, such as turtles and dugongs, and valuable cultural practices, can now coexist with the conservation and management of the Great Barrier Reef. Gavin said the agreement was an important acknowledgement of his people’s culture and ongoing connections to sea country. |
Indigenous.gov.au, Australia, |
|
7 May 2015 |
Australia |
Indigenous rangers call for expansion of ‘world-leading’ jobs scheme |
Indigenous land and sea rangers from 15 regions across Australia have called on the government to expand what they say is one of the most successful Indigenous jobs programs which value traditional owners’ strengths, by caring for the huge swaths of protected land across the country. Indigenous ranger programs train and employ local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to care for environmentally significant regions, many of which are designated Indigenous protected areas. The group is calling for 10-year funding commitments from the government for the ranger programs and IPAs, and for a timetable to increase the number of rangers across the country from fewer than 1,000 to 5,000. |
The Guardian, Australia, |
|
7 May 2015 |
Queensland |
More native title rights on the Cape |
The Federal Court of Australia has recognised the native title rights and interests of Cape York Traditional Owners over about 165,000 hectares of land and waters south of Shelburne Bay and north of Lockhart River on the remote far north-eastern side of Cape York Peninsula. Minister for State Development and Natural Resources and Mines, Anthony Lynham said the determination allows the Wuthathi, KuukuY'au and Northern Kaanju peoples to access, camp, hunt, fish, gather, protect, teach and conduct ceremonies on-country, in accordance with traditional law. |
PSnews online, Australia, |
|
6 May 2015 |
Australia |
Nickel Exploration Activities Continue To Boom In Australia |
The number of nickel exploration activities that are happening in the country is a testament to the fact that Australian’s nickel mining industry has no plans of waning anytime soon. In South Australia, Monax Resources’ Western Gawler Craton Project is going to commence on-ground exploration drilling by June 2015 after the signing of its Native Title Mining Agreement with the Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation. |
International Business Times, Australia, 6 May 2015 |
|
5 May 2015 |
South Australia |
Language no boundary for Steven Atkinson |
Steven Atkinson, interim chairperson of the Barngarla Language Advisory Committee is passionate about helping others find their cultural roots through language. "It's even more poignant now after winning our native title case at the start of the year," Steven said. "I think it's more important now that we hear that language spoken back over that land now that we've been given recognition of where our country is." |
The Transcontinental Port Augusta, Australia, 5 May 2015 |
|
3 May 2015 |
Queensland |
Australian Aboriginals vs Adani Mining: ‘We reject any land-use agreement’ |
The Wangan and Jagalingou tribe have rejected the Carmichael mine when their consent was sought for the Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILAU). Not only have the Wangan and Jagalingou people said a clear 'No' to Adani, they have kept up a relentless campaign to get the company to back off from the Carmichael mine which they say would devastate their ancestral lands, culturally and environment-wise. Adrian Burragubba, the spokesman for the Wangan and Jagalingou, said the project would “tear the heart out of our country”. |
Scroll.in, Australia, 3 May 2015 |
|
3 May 2015 |
Western Australia |
Perth City Council fob off Matargarup homeless and say they cannot help homeless |
This article discussed the homeless situation in Perth and the recent raids on Matargarup (Heirrison Island). |
The Stringer, Australia, |