THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER 2005

LAND RIGHTS ACT LEASE CHANGES A SMOKESCREEN

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) has accused the Federal Government of ignoring the urgent needs of Aboriginal families in its pursuit of unnecessary changes to the Aboriginal Land Rights Act in the Northern Territory.

"The need for the proposed changes is unsubstantiated as lease provisions already exist for individual home ownership and commercial purposes on Aboriginal land", ANTaR National Director, David Cooper, said.

"Meanwhile, Aboriginal families in the Northern Territory face shortened lives, debilitating diseases long eradicated in white communities and chronic housing and infrastructure shortages because governments withhold the necessary resources to address these basic human needs", Mr Cooper said.

"The proposed changes will not even scratch the surface of the housing crisis in Aboriginal communities".

"It suits the Government to blame land rights for Aboriginal poverty and to shift focus away from Government responsibility. It is a smokescreen, Mr Cooper said.

"Evidence shows that tenure is not a significant barrier to either home ownership or commercial development on Aboriginal land.

"ANTaR is concerned that economic benefits to traditional owners under the proposed changes are uncertain at best. The Government's model denies traditional owners ongoing benefit from future commercial development on their communities and vests control in the Northern Territory Government. In addition, expensive costs for surveys and administration will be borne by traditional owners.

"The failure of the Federal Government to consult with traditional owners over the changes is a major concern", Mr Cooper said.

"The informed consent of traditional owners is not only an obligation of government - it is essential to ensuring that changes are embraced by, and address the real needs of, Indigenous people.

"If the Government was serious about securing increased economic benefits for traditional owners it would have ensured their active participation in these decisions.

"Sadly, such considerations are overshadowed by the ideological fixations of the Federal Government", Mr Cooper concluded.

Media contact: David Cooper 0418 486 310, 02 95556138