Mr LANHUPUY - 1995-08-15
Previous Country Liberal Party ministers and administrators have stated consistently their total opposition to the inalienability of Aboriginal land title granted under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act. Given that this Chief Minister has called for a new age in relationships in the Northern Territory, will he take this opportunity to reverse his party's position on this matter?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the simple answer is there will be no change in policy. We take that position not only in the interests of some sectional groups within the Territory, but in the interests of all Territorians.
The Leader of the Opposition shakes his head but, in the discussions that I have held over the last 3 months across the length and breadth of the Territory, I have been fascinated by what I see as a new generation of Aboriginal leaders coming through the system. They are placing a greater emphasis on inclusion rather than exclusion. What this generation is saying is that their people want the capacity to deal with their land. They want the capacity to be part of the Territory's economic equation in the same way as all other Territorians.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr STONE: The problem for the Leader of the Opposition is that, unless he gets out there and starts listening to the people who have supported him traditionally ...
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Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr STONE: Here is a man who came within 45 votes of losing his seat at the last Territory elections. Obviously, he has not been listening too closely to his constituents. He will be left behind, because there is a view in Aboriginal communities ...
Mr Ede: I visit them and I know.
Mr STONE: I am a little surprised that the member who asked the question has not perhaps picked that up either. Aboriginal people are saying that they are not convinced that they have been all that well served by the land regime that has been in place since the introduction of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act. They want to be part of the Territory's prosperity and growth. They want to be able to deal with their land without its being tied up in the bureaucracy that obtains currently under the legislation. They are looking for a change.
I am quite convinced that, over time, there will be a ground swell of opinion within Aboriginal communities that will support that point of view, particularly among traditional owners and people who live in remote areas. They say that their voice is not necessarily being heard in the larger organisations that attempt to speak for them.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the simple answer is there will be no change in policy. We take that position not only in the interests of some sectional groups within the Territory, but in the interests of all Territorians.
The Leader of the Opposition shakes his head but, in the discussions that I have held over the last 3 months across the length and breadth of the Territory, I have been fascinated by what I see as a new generation of Aboriginal leaders coming through the system. They are placing a greater emphasis on inclusion rather than exclusion. What this generation is saying is that their people want the capacity to deal with their land. They want the capacity to be part of the Territory's economic equation in the same way as all other Territorians.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr STONE: The problem for the Leader of the Opposition is that, unless he gets out there and starts listening to the people who have supported him traditionally ...
Page 698
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr STONE: Here is a man who came within 45 votes of losing his seat at the last Territory elections. Obviously, he has not been listening too closely to his constituents. He will be left behind, because there is a view in Aboriginal communities ...
Mr Ede: I visit them and I know.
Mr STONE: I am a little surprised that the member who asked the question has not perhaps picked that up either. Aboriginal people are saying that they are not convinced that they have been all that well served by the land regime that has been in place since the introduction of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act. They want to be part of the Territory's prosperity and growth. They want to be able to deal with their land without its being tied up in the bureaucracy that obtains currently under the legislation. They are looking for a change.
I am quite convinced that, over time, there will be a ground swell of opinion within Aboriginal communities that will support that point of view, particularly among traditional owners and people who live in remote areas. They say that their voice is not necessarily being heard in the larger organisations that attempt to speak for them.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016