Indigenous Land Use Agreements
8.1 We agree that statutory support for Indigenous Land
Use Agreements is desirable. This accords with the recommendations of
key Indigenous and industry stakeholders through the Council for Aboriginal
Reconciliation. On 29 August the Committee heard evidence in Broome from
the Rubibi Working Group (RWG) and the Shire President, Mr Ron Johnston,
about cooperation between the RWG and the Shire to enable development
to take place with Indigenous consultation and input. This has resulted
in a general agreement which, although it does not authorise particular
future acts or contain any specific recognition of native title, does
set a constructive tone and framework for negotiations regarding future
town development. The parties to this agreement are to be congratulated.
Statutory support for agreements authorising future acts would be a further
positive step. We also support the idea of the Tribunal assisting the
parties to negotiate Indigenous Land Use Agreements even if negotiations
do not lead to a determination of native title.
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