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April 2016 • issiue 2 www.nlc.org.au As we look to celebrate the 40th Adam Giles. by the NLC with them, and with the future of Darwin for generations to Belyuen Group and Larrakia families. come. It also provides the family groups anniversary of the Aboriginal Land A formal hand-back ceremony was involved with real benefits. These Rights (Northern Territory) Act, final expected to be arranged within the Mr Bush-Blanasi said he acknowledged benefits will open up new economic coming months. that not all Larrakia families have settlement has been reached over the opportunities as well as preserving their approved the settlement, and that some Kenbi land claim. In a battle that has Over its tortuous history the claim was cultural ties with the land. continue to disagree with the Land been going on for nearly as long as the subject of two extensive hearings, Commissioner’s findings regarding “I think the settlement that has been the existence of the Land Rights Act three Federal Court reviews and two traditional Aboriginal ownership. accepted is extremely innovative as itself, the Kenbi claim has been the High Court appeals before the then provides a combination of Territory Aboriginal Land Commissioner Peter “I accept that for some Larrakia focus of numerous court cases and freehold land as well as granting of Gray delivered his report in December this whole process has caused much claim hearings, and hostility from a claimed land under the Land Rights 2000. distress. However, this claim has hung succession of CLP governments. Act.” over us all for far too long. Now is the “This is a momentous day for the early four decades after it was time to move forward–otherwise, there Mr Giles thanked the Traditional whole community,” NLC Chairman lodged with the Aboriginal is a real prospect that it might never be Owners and family groups and the Samuel Bush-Blanasi said. “This will Land Commissioner, the Kenbi settled,” Mr Bush-Blanasi said. negotiating teams from the Territory N open the door for the future economic land claim has been settled. Government and the NLC for their development and the cultural protection “The path is now clear to tidy up diligence in crafting the settlement. The settlement was announced at a press of the Cox Peninsula area that has final legal details before a handback conference at NT Parliament House in Aboriginal people at its heart.” ceremony. It is most fitting that this will “While the settlement has obviously Darwin on Wednesday 6 April, fronted occur this year, the 40th anniversary of taken a long time, and had to factor Consent to the final settlement by by NLC chairman Samuel Bush- the enactment of the Land Rights Act.” in legal developments such as Native Traditional Owners (known as the Blanasi, Chief Executive Joe Morrison, Title and the Blue Mud Bay High Court Tommy Lyons Group) followed Chief Minister Adam Giles said: “This Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister decision, I think it really does represent extensive consultations conducted is truly an historic day and secures the Nigel Scullion and NT Chief Minister an excellent deal for all parties.” Would Aboriginal land rights be recognised today have made to the Act in the decades since. as robustly and securely as they were enshrined On pages 8-11, we trace the long and relentless in the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) campaign of opposition to land rights in the Act 1976? Northern Territory from powerful political and It’s a question worth pondering 40 years after bureaucratic forces. the Act was passed by the Commonwealth Father Frank Brennan, professor of law at Parliament, and this issue of Land Rights News Australian Catholic University, on pages 12-15, (Northern Edition) recalls its sinuous history. charts the conduct of the Gove Land Rights case, The Act was shepherded through the Parliament first lodged in 1968, which set the scene for the by the then Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Ian introduction of the Land Rights Act. Viner QC, who writes on pages 6 & 7 that its enactment was the high point of its history. He laments the changes which various governments 2 Land Rights news • noRtheRn edition APRIL 2016 • www.nlc.org.au A word from the Chair possible, because the Kenbi claim has a more enlightened rule over past dragged on for far, far too long. decades. Members of the Tommy Lyons In Katherine last month I attended group, the Belyuen group and Larrakia a meeting of Aboriginal Housing families deserve the right to start NT (AHNT), a new body which enjoying as soon as possible the provides a strong Aboriginal voice on benefits which the settlement will housing issues through advocacy and deliver. Real Aboriginal involvement representation to governments. in the long-term development of Government policies over the Darwin will also follow. past decade have severely sidelined Then there’s the handback of land at Aboriginal people when it comes to Yarralin to look forward to later this housing, and AHNT wants the NT year. The Wickham River claim has Government to transfer management of been hanging around even longer than public housing for Aboriginal people to Kenbi. Aboriginal community control. It’s fitting that all this is happening The state of Aboriginal housing in 2016, the 40th anniversary of the in the Northern Territory is beyond Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern crisis point: overcrowding is severe, Territory) Act 1976. It’s also, of there’s a huge shortfall of houses, and course, the 50th anniversary of the homelessness here is 17 times worse Wave Hill walk-off. than anywhere else in the country. The people of Yarralin are where Finally, the three-year term of the they are today because they walked off NLC’s current Full Council expires Victoria River Downs Station in 1972, this year. Again, I urge those eligible, fed up with pay and conditions, and especially women and young people, to joined the Gurindji at Wattie Creek; consider putting your hands up for the they returned to what is now Yarralin election to a new Full Council. I was very aware that history was nearly 37 years after the NLC lodged after 18 months. Details of the election timetable can in the making on Wednesday 6 April the claim with the Aboriginal Land We devote several pages in this issue be found on the page 25 of this issue. when I assembled in the Litchfield Commissioner. Four of the Kenbi of Land Rights News to the history Finally, I thanks Chips Mackinolty Room at Parliament House in Darwin traditional owners were there too. of the long struggle for land rights in with my CEO Joe Morrison, NT Chief for his contributions of artwork to this We now look forward to the the Northern Territory, in the face of issue. Minister Adam Giles and Federal Commonwealth Government, determined opposition by politicians Regards to you all in this big year of Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion. especially the Department of Finance, and bureaucrats. Reading that history anniversaries. We gathered before a big media tying up loose ends so that a date can leads me to wonder how different crowd to announce that final settlement be set for a formal handback ceremony. the social landscape of the Northern had been reached on the Kenbi claim, I want that to happen as soon as Territory might be if there had been Samuel Bush-Blanasi, Chairman 2016 NT Ranger Awards Nominations close Friday 27 May The awards are open to any person working in In particular, the award will recognise individuals NT Ranger Award for Innovation in protected areas conservation and management who display exceptional commitment to delivery of Protected Areas Management in the Northern Territory, including apprentices, environmental outcomes. This Award recognises outstanding efforts to protect trainees, school-based apprentices and those the natural environment, and particularly relates to working on country. NT Ranger Award for Commitment to the development and implementation of original The judging panel will comprise representatives Partnerships and Diversiity and innovative advancements in conservation and from the Northern and Central Land Councils, The award will acknowledge the efforts of individuals environmental protection for protected areas. Parks Australia, the NT Ranger Association and for their efforts to embrace partners (other Ranger the NT Parks and Wildlife Commission. The panel groups/organisations, recreational stakeholders, NT Ranger Award for Leadership in will be looking for nominations that demonstrate environmental groups), including members of the Protected Areas Management environmental excellence, partnerships, leadership community, to achieve environmental and protected This Award will recognise exceptional leadership of and outstanding team and individual performance. areas management outcomes. This award is for individuals working in protected areas management. individuals who recognise the need and importance The award will recognise individuals who Nominations are being called for the following five of partnerships and collaboration, and are effective demonstrate achievements against the strategic awards: in engaging and working closely with a range of vision of the organisation, sound decision-making, different groups to achieve significant outcomes. exemplary communication and collaboration with NT Ranger Award for Outstanding others, accountability for actions, recognition Environmental Achievement NT Ranger Award for Outstanding Team and acceptance of cultural and social diversity, This Award will recognise outstanding efforts of Effort and fair and just treatment of others. The award frontline staff in implementing programs to achieve This Award will recognise the exceptional efforts will be awarded for comprehensive and recurrent environmental and conservation outcomes. The exhibited by frontline teams in protected areas achievement against these criteria, rather than for a award will acknowledge significant commitment to management. The Award will include activities specific situation in which this individual exemplified protected areas management, and might include (but relating to planning, implementation and evaluation these characteristics.
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