Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to thank all senators for their contribution to this debate on the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Bill 2017. The bill amends legislation and repeals redundant legislation. The amendments to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 will enable the finalisation of five longstanding Aboriginal land claims and a native title settlement in the Northern Territory. The bill adds areas subject to four traditional land claims in the Kakadu region of the Northern Territory to schedule 1 of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, the land rights act, so that the land can be granted as Aboriginal land. It also provides for the leaseback of that land to the Director of National Parks and the repeal of provisions of the land rights act made redundant by the bill. The bill also adds land that was subject to a successful native title application in the Roper River region of the Northern Territory to schedule 1 of the land rights act so that the land can be granted as Aboriginal land. Scheduling of the land is consistent with the terms of the township of Urapunga Indigenous land use agreement executed by the native title parties and the Northern Territory government. In addition, the bill adds land that is associated with the settlement of the Anthony Lagoon area land claim to schedule 1 of the land rights act so that the land can be granted as Aboriginal land. Scheduling of the land is consistent with the terms of the Anthony Lagoon area land claim No. 74 deed of settlement executed by the parties associated with the land claim and the Northern Territory government.

The government would like to thank the Northern Land Council for the work it has undertaken in consulting with traditional owners and other stakeholders. The government made clear our commitment to prioritise efforts to resolve outstanding land claims at the last election. We have provided additional resources for the Aboriginal Land Commissioner, land councils and other stakeholders to support this, delivering on the coalition government's commitment to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to ensure Indigenous land rights deliver the economic opportunities that should come from owning your own land. We understand that this must be the priority. It is why we are working with traditional owners of township leases held by communities for community driven economic development, like the Gumatj-held township lease at Gunyangara. It is why we are investing record amounts in support for land tenure reforms, including as part of our commitment to develop northern Australia and it is why we are backing Indigenous businesses through our $90 million Indigenous Entrepreneurs Fund and a successful Community Development Program which has delivered more than 28,000 jobs in remote areas. We have given the processing of land claims the priority it deserves and we will continue to fight for the rights of Indigenous Australians. I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.