TheTerritory Labor Government supports the development and diversification of theTerritorys economy and also recognises the rights of native title holders overtheir land, and how that land is managed.
The NT Government proposed amendments to the PastoralLand Act 1992 with the aim of providing procedural rights to nativetitle holders when a Non-Pastoral Use Permit (NPU) is granted is incertain circumstances.
As a Government, we have taken a broad policyposition which aims to strike a fair balance between the existence of NativeTitle, and Pastoral Rights.
Recentlythe NT Cattlemans Association and Land Councils met for the first time todiscuss the proposed amendments to the Pastoral Land Act, and wereunfortunately unable to form a collaborative view about the objectives of theproposed amendments.
Notwithstandingour view of the importance of the policy, the Northern Territory Government hasdetermined not to proceed with the proposed amendments to the PastoralLand Act.
Weacknowledge that the Land Councils have been strong advocates for these changesand we encourage the continuation of meetings between the Land Councils and theNTCA so that the sustainable development and economic opportunity of thepastoral estate can be realised, for all Territorians.
Quotesattributed to the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, Eva Lawler:
TheTerritory Labor Government will continue to work cooperatively with the LandCouncils to develop economic opportunities for the Northern Territory.
Wewill continue to provide opportunities for Aboriginal Economic Development ontheir land such as the establishment of Strategic Aboriginal Water Reserves througha legislative basis in the Water Act.
Background to Diversification on Pastoral Land
The PastoralLand Act 1992 currently provides for the diversification of thepastoral estate via:
- Thegrant of a 30 year term Non-Pastoral Use Permit (NPU);
- TheNPU being registerable on the title and transferable with sale; and
- Thesublease of an NPU, where the NPU holder (or pastoralist) is able to subleasethe diversification activity of the permit to a third party, which isregistered on the title and transferable at sale.
Toenhance further diversification and provide security for increased economicdevelopment opportunities, this included a provision for a pastoralist tosublease a non-pastoral diversification activity to a third party, which wouldalso be registered on the title, and transferable at sale.
TheNorthern Territory Government has held extensive discussions withthe Northern and Central Land Councils and the Northern TerritoryCattlemans Association whilst the sub-leasing provisions have been re-instatedfurther discussions need to continue regarding procedural rights for nativetitle holders. As a result the legislation will not be introduced whilst thesediscussions continue.
Otherpolicies this Government is implementing to increase opportunities for economicdevelopment by Aboriginal people on their land, include the re-establishment ofStrategic Aboriginal Water Reserves, the provision of funding to supportAboriginal ranger groups to undertake their crucial front-line services oncountry, and the progressing of a Treaty for the Northern Territory.
