Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Community Services) Share this | Hansard source

In general terms, the notion of acquisition of any interest in lands or resumption, forfeiture or acquisition of town camps is an issue that would come as a secondary action. It would be secondary, of course, where the Northern Territory government does not take early action to resume or forfeit the town camp areas. That is when the Commonwealth would undertake that action. That is to ensure that early action can be taken to improve the living conditions of the camps. So, where the Commonwealth considers it necessary in order to improve the living conditions, it is going to have the power to acquire long-term lease freehold interests over the town camps. A freehold interest would give the Commonwealth sufficient control of the land to make real improvements. It is important to note that native title will not be extinguished in dealing with the town camps. The future act regime of the Native Title Act will be disapplied for government and related actions in the town camps to ensure that there are no delays in providing improvements.