Roger Jaensch,Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
The Tasmanian Liberal Government recognises that Aboriginal people have a profound and ongoing connection to Tasmanian lands and waters. Connection to Country, and the responsibility to care for it, is central to Aboriginal culture and identity.
Returning more land to Tasmanian Aboriginal people is a priority for the Tasmanian Government and is a key aspect of our Reset the Relationship policy agenda. The Review into the model for returning land, which aims to identify the barriers to returning land and explore options to improve the land return process, is an integral step in this process.
Feedback from consultation undertaken to date has made it clear the current process to return land does not work for all Tasmanian Aboriginal people, and a new approach is necessary if land returns are to play a constructive part in our reconciliation journey with all Aboriginal Tasmanians.
Today, I am pleased to release the Consultation Paper ‘A revised model for returning land to Tasmania’s Aboriginal people – Consultation Paper on proposals for change’ which has taken that feedback into account, and outlines the Government’s proposed approaches to amend the Act and return more land to Aboriginal people.
Key amendments proposed in the Consultation Paper include:
- Extending the scope and intent of the Act to meet community expectations;
- Enabling broader and more inclusive representation on the ALCT electoral roll;
- Simplifying the process for land return by creating a new instrument of transfer for significant parcels of Crown land;
- Expanding provisions for local or regional Aboriginal community organisations to play a role in land management;
- Create transparent processes and clear criteria for proposing and assessing land for return; and
- Clarify the role of the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania and require reporting of administrative and land management activity.
Importantly, the key role of the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania to hold the title of the land and oversee its management on behalf of all Tasmanian Aboriginal people are not intended to change.
Written submissions are encouraged by Sunday, July 24, however, engagement throughout this process will be ongoing and we will reach out to and meet with Aboriginal people during this time. Feedback from this process will inform the drafting of the amending legislation, which will be released in the form of a Draft Exposure Bill for further consultation.
Tasmanians’ priorities are our priorities and my intention is to introduce legislation to Parliament as soon as possible to facilitate the return of more land to Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
The Consultation Paper and further information about this phase of consultation is available on the Department’s website: https://nre.tas.gov.au/about-the-department/aboriginal-legislative-reform/aboriginal-lands-act.
