The return of more land to Aboriginal people is a top priority
OUR government recognises that Aboriginal people have a profound and ongoing connection to Tasmania’s lands and waters.
This connection to country, and the responsibility to care for it, is central to Aboriginal culture and identity.
Returning more land to Tasmanian Aboriginal people is a priority for our government and is a key aspect of our Reset the Relationship policy agenda.
The review into the model for returning land, which aims to identify the barriers to returning land and explore options to improve the land return process, is an integral step in this process.
We have listened to the concerns of Tasmanian Aboriginal people and it is clear the current process to return land does not work for all Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
A new approach is necessary if land returns are to play a constructive part of our reconciliation journey with all Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
This week, I announced the Consultation Paper titled – A revised model for returning land to Tasmania’s Aboriginal people – Consultation Paper on proposals for change – which has taken that feedback into account, and outlines the government’s proposed approaches to amend the Act and return more land to Aboriginal people.
KEY AMENDMENTS PROPOSED INCLUDE:
A new approach is necessary if land returns are to play a constructive part of our reconciliation journey with all Tasmanian Aboriginal people, writes Roger Jaensch
EXTENDING the scope and intent of the Act to meet community expectations;
ENABLING broader and more inclusive representation on the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania (ALCT) electoral roll;
SIMPLIFYING the process for land return by creating a new instrument of transfer for significant parcels of Crown land;
EXPANDING provisions for local or regional Aboriginal community organisations to play a role in land management;
CREATING transparent processes and clear criteria for proposing and assessing land for return; and
CLARIFY the role of the ALCT and require reporting of administrative and land management activity.
IMPORTANTLY, the key roles of ALCT to hold the title of the land and oversee its management on behalf of all Tasmanian Aboriginal people are not intended to change.
We know there will be differing views about these proposed changes and that is why we will reach out to and meet with Aboriginal people during this consultation.
This feedback will inform the drafting of the amended legislation, which will be released as a Draft Exposure Bill for further consultation.
Tasmanians’ priorities are our priorities and my intention is to introduce legislation to Parliament as soon as possible to facilitate the return of more land to Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
The Consultation Paper is available at: https:// nre.tas.gov.au/about-thedepartment/aboriginallegislative-reform/aboriginallands-act. Written submissions are encouraged by July 24 and can be sent to aboriginallandsact@nre.tas.go v.au.