The Government has tabled the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) Fulfilling the Promise of Mabo: Reforming the Future Acts Regime report.
This report follows the ALRC’s inquiry into the future acts regime in the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), which governs how development activities can occur on native title land.
This is the first substantial inquiry into future acts since the Native Title Act was amended in 1998 and fulfils the Government’s commitment in response to the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia’s report titled: A Way Forward.
The report tabled today is not a report from the Government, it is advice to the Government.
With native title recognised over nearly half of Australia’s land mass, it is important that the regime operates fairly, effectively and efficiently. The Government is currently on track to meet Closing the Gap targets to increase legal rights and interests in relation to land and water (target 15).
The Government is committed to ensuring any reforms that are progressed are enduring and provide certainty for all parties, and will work to build broad support across the Parliament.
The final report is available from the Australian Law Reform Commission website.
Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“I thank the ALRC, the President the Hon Justice Mordecai Bromberg, and Commissioner Tony McAvoy SC, for their thorough work over the course of the inquiry.
“I also acknowledge and thank the First Nations people and organisations, Prescribed Bodies Corporate, Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers, industry bodies, researchers and legal experts who engaged with the ALRC throughout the inquiry.
“The Government will now consider the report’s 86 recommendations and is committed to working with First Nations communities and key sectors.”
