Summary

Amends the

and to: increase access to Aboriginal land for development, especially exploration and mining; facilitate the leasing of Aboriginal land and the mortgaging of leases; provide for a tenure system for townships on Aboriginal land that will allow individuals to have property rights; devolve decision-making powers to regional Aboriginal communities; clarify provisions for the establishment of new Land Councils; increase accountability of Land Councils and incorporated bodies which receive payments for the use of Aboriginal land and provide for funding on the basis of workloads; and dispose of land claims which cannot be heard or finalised or which are clearly inappropriate to grant.