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

I thank the senator for his question and his interest in this matter. It was good of him to actually visit remote areas of Australia. I think it was last week that I met and spoke to representatives of every single traditional owner group on the cape. They met at Djarragun, not far from Cairns, and their particular matter was about bringing together a new governance arrangement for the entire cape so the 13 prescribed body corporates would be completely represented. They didn't do that only because of governance arrangements; they also did it because they believe it gives them self-government, if you like, and a way that they can make decisions across the board that they haven't been able to make before.

You may not be aware, Senator Roberts, but there has recently been a native title claim over the cape that basically fills in the gaps—all 13 prescribed body corporates fill that area. There was clearly a decision, I'm happy to report, that they will now be moving towards having a regional council, instead of the Land Council, that represents all those traditional owner interests across the cape. I have to say that I have rarely been as excited as about the proposal that was put to the government. It's not a matter for me; they were just simply informing me of the things that they intend to do. So, the Indigenous people of the cape, the Aboriginal people of the cape themselves—and there were some people from Torres Strait there, as well—have decided on regional governance that is without precedent since Federation. It is going to be able to utilise the synergies; it is going to be able to take in the local government bodies—everyone was there. I can assure you that, in terms of empowerment in the cape, they cannot be in any safer hands—the safest are theirs.