ADDITIONAL COMMENTS BY LIBERAL SENATORS
1.1
Liberal senators agree with the majority report's recommendations.
However, Liberal senators wish to make some additional comments and
recommendations in relation to template ILUAs and the 10‑year sunset
provision (proposed paragraph 24JAA(1)(d)).
Template ILUAs
1.2
Liberal senators support ILUAs as the preferred method for agreement‑making
with native title holders and claimants. The committee heard that ILUAs would
not assist with the expeditious delivery of public housing and infrastructure
in Indigenous communities, on the bases that negotiation and registration of
such instruments is not timely and can take in excess of 12 months to complete.
1.3
Liberal senators note that template ILUAs would assist in overcoming the
identified difficulties, and consider that it would be prudent for all
governments concerned to develop template ILUAs as a means for expedited
agreement‑making in the future. Such agreements should be inclusive in
nature and encompass a range of necessary services, not simply those related to
public housing and infrastructure.
Recommendation 1
1.4
Liberal senators recommend that the Australian, state and territory
governments take such measures as are necessary to develop template Indigenous
Land Use Agreements for future service delivery.
Sunset clause
1.5
Liberal senators also express concern with the 10‑year sunset
clause contained in the Bill. Liberal senators strongly support the objectives
of the Bill, and the substantial investment therein, and suggest that the
Australian Government should aim to 'Close the Gap' within five years rather
than 10 years. The effectiveness of the program could be reviewed after the
first five years of operation, and if necessary, then be extended for a further
five years to take advantage of the 10‑year funding provided for in the
National Partnership Agreements.
Recommendation 2
1.6
Liberal senators recommend that proposed paragraph 24JAA(1)(d) be
amended to require the delivery of urgent public housing and infrastructure to
Indigenous communities within five years.
Recommendation 3
1.7
Subject to the above recommendations, and the majority report
Recommendation 1, Liberal senators recommend that the Senate pass the Bill.
Senator
Guy Barnett Senator Mary Jo Fisher
Deputy Chair
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