Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Chaney drops native title tribunal

By Stephen Hagan - posted Thursday, 19 April 2007


"He has concerns like many Aboriginal people, many mining companies, that they need certainty in this system," she said. "The native title resolution system needs to be properly resourced so that everybody involved can get resolution as quickly and as fairly as possible."

As far as Mr Chaney was concerned the NTT failed to adequately address and resolve ILUA related matters that came before them.

So what is an ILUA?

Advertisement

An Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) is a voluntary agreement between a native title group and others about the use and management of land and water.

ILUAs allow people to negotiate flexible, pragmatic agreements to suit their particular circumstances. ILUAs can be made separately from the formal native title process but they may also be part of a native title determination. ILUAs can be formed on the following topics:

  • native title holders agreeing to a future development;
  • how native title rights coexist with the rights of other people;
  • access to an area;
  • extinguishment of native title; and
  • compensation.

Sadly, anyone who has been involved with the native title registration process and Indigenous Land Use Agreements will know that the cards on native title are stacked firmly in the soft hands of mining company executives.

And why shouldn’t the mining company executives feel smug about their position on all land matters when the state and federal governments, the recipients of billions of dollars in mining taxes during the present resources boom, show bias towards them in legal disputes with traditional owners.

Federal Treasurer Peter Costello, on giving his ANZ Asia Keynote Address in Singapore, September 17, 2006, confirmed that more than $32 billion of new investment has occurred in the mining sector alone since the start of 2004.

Advertisement

Costello went on to say:

“This investment is increasing the capacity of the Australian economy and providing a basis for future economic growth. In particular, the increased capacity in the mining sector is expected to support an improvement in Australia’s export volumes.

“Australia is thus well positioned to reap the benefits of the global commodity boom. This boom has seen the terms-of-trade increase to its equal highest level since 1974.”

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

6 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Stephen Hagan is Editor of the National Indigenous Times, award winning author, film maker and 2006 NAIDOC Person of the Year.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Stephen Hagan

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Stephen Hagan
Article Tools
Comment 6 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy