In October 1997 the Federal Government appointed
Darwin lawyer John Reeves QC to conduct a review of the Land Rights
Act.
The Reeves Review made many recommendations which
would weaken Aboriginal rights under the Act. These include:
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breaking up the Northern and Central Land Councils,
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giving the NT Government more power over decisions
affecting Aboriginal land,
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removing the permit system and
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removing the right of traditional Aboriginal
landowners to control development on their land.
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Senate response to Reeves:
On 30 August 1999, the House of Representatives Select Committee
on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs tabled its report
on the Reeves Review.
The Committee largely rejected the recommendations
made by Reeves, particularly his proposals to break up the Land
Councils and transfer the decision-making power of traditional Aboriginal
owners to small Land Councils.
Most significantly, the Committee recommended
that no changes should be made to the Land
Rights Act without the consent of Aboriginal people. However,
the Committee flagged a number of possible areas for change, including
the funding of Land Councils and the distribution of royalty payments
which may lead to even more reviews.
Although the Federal Government has yet to respond
formally to the Committee's report, in May 2002 it released
an 'Options Paper' canvassing a series of possible
amendments to the Land
Rights Act.
Many of the 'options' appear similar to suggested
amendments contained in the Reeves Report. The Northern
Land Council has since advised the Federal Minister that it
hopes to negotiate a cooperative position on beneficial change to
the Act with the other three Land Councils and the Northern Territory
Government.
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