While the draft National Statement acknowledges challenges relating to “complexities of communal land tenure, land rights, and limited access to collateral”, the draft National Statement does not attempt to engage directly with, or alter, established land tenure arrangements. As previously stated, such measures would far exceed the boundaries and purpose of a National Statement. This must also remain the case in relation to later proposals in the draft National Statement to explore “self-determined opportunities to activate underutilised land and water assets through culturally informed planning, partnerships and enterprise pathways”, where the lack of clarity around the meaning and application of “underutilised” remains a concern for NFF.
NFF views other tangential processes including the current Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) Review of the Future Acts Regime as a more appropriate avenue to consider how Indigenous economic outcomes can be further realised under the Native Title Act 1993. NFF awaits the outcomes of this Review and will continue to engage to ensure reforms deliver a sustainable Native Title regime and tangible agricultural, economic, and regional benefits for all communities consistent with NFF 2030 Roadmap Action 2.4.3: “Partner with indigenous landholders on a sustainable Native Title regime.”
Read the full submission here.
Stacey Davidson
Chrissy Kerin