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ALP senators vote to go home rather than fixing Native Title law. For the sake of the North we say...

LABOR and crossbench senators have refused to sit an extra day today to pass vital amendments to native title laws.

The move has shocked Aboriginal leaders and threatens to further delay projects such as Adani’s Carmichael coal mine.

While Coalition senator Matt Canavan accused Labor of shirking work and being beholden to “Green inner- city voters”, a spokesman for Labor senator Penny Wong said the Government could have debated the legislation earlier.

Changes to native title laws are needed to provide certainty on more than 100 Indigenous Land Use Agreements after a court ruling found all claimants must sign agreements.

LABOR and crossbench senators have refused to sit an extra day today to pass vital amendments to native title laws.

The move has shocked Aboriginal leaders and threatens to further delay projects such as Adani’s Carmichael coal mine.

While Coalition senator Matt Canavan accused Labor of shirking work and being beholden to “Green inner- city voters”, a spokesman for Labor senator Penny Wong said the Government had pulled a stunt and could have debated the legislation earlier.

Meanwhile, community leaders including Mayor Jenny Hill said the community would see both sides of politics were as bad as the other.

“The community would say, a pox on both your houses,” Cr Hill said.

Changes to native title laws are needed to provide certainty on more than 100 Indigenous Land Use Agreements after a court ruling found all claimants must sign agreements.

With a single claimant having refused to sign the Carmichael agreement, the project is in limbo at a time when the Adani board is due to make an investment decision this month.

Aboriginal leader Warren Mundine said Senator Wong’s decision to oppose an extension of the Senate sittings was “bizarre” when Labor had assured him they agreed with the legislative amendments.

Mr Mundine said the changes were needed urgently to protect Aboriginal rights.

“They should be made to sit until the legislation is passed,” Mr Mundine said.

“I’m tired of Aboriginal peo- ple being used as punching bags for political games.”

The Government yesterday sought to extend sittings, if needed, to provide the time to debate and pass its Native Title Amendment ( Indigenous Land Use Agreements) Bill 2017.

But Senator Wong said she did not believe the legislation should be rushed through and accused the Greens and Nationals of using native title for “base political purposes”.

Meanwhile, Adani, which confirmed it was relying on funding from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, needs certainty.

“We have previously said that we would be seeking the board of Adani Enterprises to give a final investment decision by the end of this month. We are still working to that timetable,” a spokesman said.

The Senate is due to sit for 56 days this year. This month it has convened for just three days after not sitting in April.

Townsville Chamber of Commerce president Troy Popham said it was disappointing to see yet another setback for Adani and its Carmichael project, promising 10,000 jobs.

“We know it’s a critical project for Northern Australia and particularly Townsville,” Mr Popham said. “We’d like to see a level of commitment to a project of such national and State significance.”

Townsville Enterprise CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the amendments were vital for projects and thousands of jobs.

“We are disappointed that this debate has been delayed and that the Adani project will therefore be potentially delayed,” Ms O’Callaghan said.