Ken Wyatt (Hasluck, Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Health) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Solomon and the member for Mallee for their contributions to the debate on the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment (Land Scheduling) Bill 2018. The bill adds an area of land that was subject to a successful native title application in Central Australia to schedule 1 of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act so that the land can be granted as Aboriginal land. Scheduling the land is consistent with the terms of the Amaroo Indigenous land use agreement executed by the relevant parties including the affected pastoralists and registered with the National Native Title Tribunal. The amendments to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 will enable the implementation of a native title settlement in the Northern Territory that has been agreed between the Aboriginal traditional owners and local stakeholders. It is a positive example of people working together to support the recognition of Aboriginal land and the advancement of economic opportunities for the region.

The coalition government is committed to resolving outstanding land claims and is investing to achieve this. We've invested in the Aboriginal Land Commissioner, land councils and Territory stakeholders to deliver on this. We are delivering on the coalition government's commitment to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to ensure traditional owners can make decisions and unlock the potential that comes with owning your own land.

The coalition government is working with traditional owners on township leases held by communities in the Northern Territory, including North East Arnhem Land, and we are investing record amounts in support for land tenure reforms, including as part of our commitment to develop northern Australia, because we recognise the opportunity and potential that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have to be part of the next stage of this exciting agenda. We have given the processing of land claims the priority it deserves and we will continue to fight for the rights of Indigenous Australians. I commend the bill to the House.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Ordered that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.

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