Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

It was my great pleasure to announce earlier today an arrangement with the Gumatj people of northeast Arnhem Land over a township lease for a community called Gunyangara. It is of significant importance because of the innovation around that township lease. We were able to have innovation around the township lease because we co-constructed it. Both the Gumatj people and the Commonwealth government decided in the fight of land rights and concerns that any lease would take that away from your control, but that some balance was needed. So in this particular place we no longer have an executive director of township leasing. We actually have a community controlled Gumatj organisation that will take that role. It is quite innovative.

It was a process I will not forget. I was sitting under this large Syzygium, enjoying a cup of coffee that was actually made by the Gumatj cafe and served to me by a young Gumatj woman. In the background was the Gumatj nursery right next to the Gumatj furniture factory, just down the road from the Gumatj butcher. These are communities that are on community owned land and they are working in a very good way.

It is important as well that we ensure that if we have Commonwealth property, Northern Territory government property and other people's property on their land we are making proper payments. This gives effect to ensuring that the Gumatj people will have a revenue flow to add to their own economic development of the area.

We have found a very careful balance. We know that land rights are so important to our first people. But also this is one of the fundamental ways in which we can assist them in developing the land in the way that they would like to develop it.