Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

We do not support this motion, because several of the matters referred to are currently before the Federal Court and it would be inappropriate to seek to interfere in judicial processes.

Labor has long been a strong supporter of native title and Indigenous land rights and has worked for many decades to protect and strengthen these rights for Indigenous people around Australia. After the historic decision of the High Court in Mabo, it was Labor that introduced and legislated the Native Title Act in 1993, and we did that against strident and often hysterical opposition from the Liberal and National parties.

The Native Title Act aims to achieve a balance of certainty for existing landholders and to establish a process for the legal system for native title claimants to achieve recognition and ownership of their ancestral lands. It is our strong belief that this act and the development of further legislative amendments that affect the act need to be carried out in a consultative and respectful manner. Indigenous people need to provide their free, prior and informed consent to legislation that affects their interests, most especially on the issue of native title. (Time expired).