Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Cameron, for your contribution. The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Bill 2015, which makes amendments to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, will empower Indigenous landowners and community members with localised decision making about the use of their land. It offers the opportunity to resolve tenure issues and streamline land council operations to promote landowners and community members playing an integral role in fostering economic development in their communities. It also meets this government's commitment to return Aboriginal land to Aboriginal people by scheduling three parcels of land, which will be granted to land trusts.

I would like to thank, on behalf of this government and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, the Northern Territory land councils for their participation in developing this bill. It is a testament to our relationship and joint commitment to empower Indigenous landowners and improve outcomes for Indigenous communities. I commend the bill to my colleagues.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.