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Labor looks to overhaul native title to fast track housing
Friday, 14 August 2009
8:46:51 AM
By Julian Drape
NATIONAL, August 14, 2009: The federal government is looking to change the Native Title Act, claiming it's delaying the delivery of housing and other building programs in remote Indigenous communities.
In releasing a discussion paper on possible amendments, Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin on Thursday said Aboriginal communities should benefit "as quickly as possible" from $5.5 billion in government spending on social housing and infrastructure.
"Uncertainty about native title processes can mean protracted delays in government programs to deliver housing and infrastructure to Indigenous communities," Ms Macklin said in a statement.
"Currently, there is no specific native title process for progressing housing and infrastructure development. This uncertainty in the act is creating delays."
The discussion paper argues it's often unclear whether native title exists over a particular area and whether programs need to comply with act requirements.
"The government is considering amending the Native Title Act to include a specific future act process to ensure that public housing and infrastructure in remote Indigenous communities can be built expeditiously following consultation with native title parties but without the need for an Indigenous land use agreement (ILUA)," the paper states.
Ms Macklin says native title rights won't be adversely affected, but Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner begs to differ.
Tom Calma says the Native Title Act doesn't block the building of homes for anyone - Indigenous or non-Indigenous.
Suggestions by the West Australian government that the legislation is blocking the building of new homes are "false and misleading", he said.
"Rather than blaming native title, it would be more constructive for the WA government to focus instead on identifying the intended locations for the housing and to continue with its commitment to negotiating with the land council."
Mr Calma said all governments should seek agreement with affected communities rather than simply follow the minimum procedural requirements.
"All Australians have a right to housing, but traditional owners should not be asked to give up their native title rights and interests for free, nor have them unilaterally taken away in exchange for that housing."
The federal government has been heavily criticised in recent months for its lack of progress in building new homes under specific Indigenous programs. -AAP
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