David Feeney (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

As Senator Milne has pointed out, at present the bill is silent on eligible interests for native title and native title interests would not have a right to consent to projects. The Greens amendment would require registered native title holders, whether exclusive or non-exclusive, to consent to sequestration projects being undertaken by others on crown land. The amendments would address claims by Indigenous stakeholders that non-exclusive native title holders have been excluded. The government is still consulting on native title issues with Indigenous and other stake­holders.

As Senator Milne foreshadowed in her remarks, the Greens amendment is being supported by the government. We believe that this will allow native title holders the opportunity to negotiate their participation in CFI projects undertaken by others. This is appropriate, as native title is an ongoing right in the land on an identifiable register and the proposed amendment will ensure certainty for registered native title holders similar to other land interests and is consistent with the Native Title Act.