AIATSIS submission to the inquiry into Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Bill 2011

In this submission, AIATSIS provides input to the inquiry conducted by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Environment and the Arts into the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Bill 2011.

The proposed legislation is commended for its recognition of the role of native title groups and their land managing corporations, Registered Native Title Bodies Corporate (RNTBCs) in Australia's carbon reduction initiatives. Adapting the law to native title rather than attempting to 'fit' native title into the existing legal regime is a positive and welcome approach. The recognition of the human rights of native title holders and consistency of the scheme with the requirements of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (RDA) are also acknowledged. The submission then highlights four points for further consideration by the Committee.