Media release archive
Browse the archive of media releases by clicking on a year below. Alternatively scroll down to read a full listing of media releases.
2009
27 November 2009
Native title reaches another milestone
An agreement to allow the construction of a bulk handling facility on Phillip Creek pastoral lease near Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory has become the 400th indigenous land use agreement regist More...
25 November 2009
Native title negotiation seals Jabiru deal
The willingness of parties to work together to find fair and enduring native title outcomes has led to the proposed settlement of the Mirarr People’s claim over the town of Jabiru—one of the Northern T More...
18 November 2009
Native title rights decided for Thudgari people
A native title claim from the Thudgari People over 11,280sq km of mainly pastoral country in the upper Gascoyne region of Western Australia has been determined at a Federal Court hearing at Ullawarra S More...
05 November 2009
Mining and native title – a new DVD
The National Native Title Tribunal has produced a 15-minute film – Mining and native title – about some of the legal requirements and processes involved in native title, with specific focus on mining a More...
04 November 2009
MoU moves Qld native title forward
Negotiations on two native title applications from the Bularnu Waluwarra and Wangkayujuru people of north-west Queensland took a step forward today with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (Mo More...
26 October 2009
No 'one size fits all' for native title
The scope and substance of native title agreements are in the hands of negotiating parties who should set clear objectives and work to achieve timely outcomes, National Native Title Tribunal President More...
31 July 2009
Rights recognised for people of Elliott
Members of the Northern Territory’s Gurungu/Kulumintini native title claimant group expect to celebrate the recognition of their rights and interests in Elliott today after a Federal Court hearing to d More...
29 July 2009
Another win for Wik and Wik Way People
The Wik and Wik Way People, who captured the nation’s attention with their High Court victory in 1996, expect to achieve another milestone today – native title recognition over 1,150sq km of their trad More...
08 July 2009
Native title results honour elders
Indigenous elders should be acknowledged for their ongoing role in the resolution of native title claims, National Native Title Tribunal President Graeme Neate said today.
“This year’s NAIDOC Week the More...
21 April 2009
Outback icon protected
Traditional owners, local government and the South Australian Government (through the State-wide claim resolution process) have joined forces to protect the ecology, cultural heritage and natural beaut More...
08 April 2009
Native title focus for 'Reform'
The progress of native title legislation in Australia is reviewed by National Native Title Tribunal President Graeme Neate in the Australian Law Reform Commission’s first Reform publication for 2009, l More...
30 March 2009
SA's biggest claim resolved
South Australia’s biggest native title determination was made in the Flinders Ranges today when Justice Mansfield recognised the rights and interests of the Adnyamathanha People to 41,085sq km of land More...
17 March 2009
Report flags tasks ahead
Progress remained steady for the resolution of native title applications during the second half of 2008, according to a report released today by the National Native Title Tribunal.
Claimant applicatio More...
2008
18 September 2008
Thalanyji People hear determination in Onslow
The Thalanyji People and parties from government and the mining, pastoral, pearling, fishing and telecommunications industries will meet in Onslow today for a Federal Court hearing to determine native More...
20 June 2008
Birriliburu native title recognised
The Birriliburu People were today recognised as exclusive native title holders of about 66,760 sq km in Western Australia’s Little Sandy Desert, 900 km north-east of Perth. At an outdoor hearing More...
20 May 2008
Native title information faster
Finding information on native title is easier than ever following the launch of the National Native Title Tribunal’s new website.
The website has been designed to provide up-to-date information on cla More...
18 March 2008
Native title DVD shows hope
The National Native Title Tribunal has released a new DVD documenting a turbulent history and hopeful future for native title in Australia.
Titled 15 Years of Native Title, the DVD uses archival foota More...
2007
12 December 2007
Native title recognised south of Cairns
Negotiations and agreement-making have reaped rewards for the Ngadjon-Jii People who are today set to have their native title rights recognised over national parks and reserves 47 km south of Cairns, i More...
09 December 2007
Native title recognised in Daintree
North Queensland's Eastern Kuku Yalanji People will have a significant management role in national parks following the recognition today of native title rights over 126,900 ha in Queensland's pristine More...
09 November 2007
Native title in the Kimberley desert
Agreement has been reached over about 76,000sq km of land in the southern Kimberley region recognising the Ngurrara people as the native title holders for the area. Federal Court Justice John Gilmour t More...
25 October 2007
300 indigenous land use agreements
The number of indigenous land use agreements (ILUAs) has doubled over the last two years - helping to progress native title claims and resolve other significant native title issues around Australia.
T More...
18 October 2007
Native title recognised in Central Desert
The Ngururrpa people of Western Australia's central desert region will today have their native title rights recognised less than 12 months after first lodging their claim.
The Ngururrpa people, repres More...
18 October 2007
Native title recognised in Central Desert
The Ngururrpa people of Western Australia's central desert region will today have their native title rights recognised less than 12 months after first lodging their claim.The Ngururrpa people, represen More...
02 June 2007
15 years of native title
On 3 June Australia commemorates the 15th anniversary of the High Court's landmark Mabo* decision - the catalyst for native title in Australia.Tribunal President Graeme Neate said the anniversary was a More...
30 May 2007
Ngarla native title rights recognised
Today by the De Grey River bank Justice Annabelle Bennett recognised the Ngarla people as the native title holders of about 4,655 sq km of land east of Port Hedland.The State of Western Australia, the More...
27 April 2007
Noonkanbah traditional owners recognised
Today the Yungngora people in Western Australia's Kimberley region were recognised as native title holders over the Noonkanbah pastoral lease west of Fitzroy Crossing.This consent determination follows More...
2006
06 December 2006
South West Boojarah lodge new claim
People are being invited to lodge their interest to participate in native title negotiations over 10,000sq km of coastal land about 30km south of Bunbury.
Registered on 5 September 2006 this More...
24 November 2006
Long struggle of traditional owners rewarded
Today at a Federal court sitting in Molly Springs in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia, the Miriuwung, Gajerrong and Kija peoples' native title was recognised over land under their second More...
13 September 2006
Yuibera people seek native title recognition
People with interests in a central Queensland area under a native title claim may have the chance to mediate with the Yuibera People about how their rights will exist alongside native title rights.The More...
28 August 2006
Negotiating spirit secures result
Pastoralists and Indigenous claimants in a remote corner of South Australia will share access and rights to the land under the terms of the state's first native title determination by consent.
Th More...
21 August 2006
Reforms a welcome change
National Native Title Tribunal President Graeme Neate has welcomed the Government's announcement today on proposed reforms aimed at improving the process for resolving native title claims.
More...
29 June 2006
New era for SA national parks
Traditional owners will co-manage one of South Australia's remote national parks, the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges, under the terms of an indigenous land use agreement (ILUA) and associated co-mana More...
21 June 2006
Negotiations on the West Coast
The Registrar of the National Native Title Tribunal has today notified the public about changes to a combined native title application for the Far West Coast, and about a separate application for re More...
28 April 2006
Yawuru people recognised in Broome
Native title has been finalised over the iconic Western Australian town of Broome with a determination handed down by the Federal Court's Justice Ronald Merkel today.
The judgment was delivered o More...
24 April 2006
Agreement recognises native title near Cairns
Native title has been recognised over national park, reserve and forest areas near Cairns, clearing the way for the Mandingalbay Yidinji People to carry out their traditional activities and help manage More...
15 March 2006
Tableland Yidinji people claim native title
Land owners and local government groups with interests in a far north Queensland area where the Tableland Yidinji people are claiming native title may soon be joining for talks about how their rights More...
2005
30 November 2005
Native title recognised in the Kimberley
A group of traditional owners from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, are the country's newest recognised native title holders following an on-country determination at One Arm Point today. Fede More...
08 September 2005
Warrungu seek native title in north QLD
Mining, pastoral and local government groups with interests in a north Queensland area where the Warrungu* people are seeking native title may soon be joining for talks about how their rights could c More...
07 September 2005
Wiradjuri native title application advertised
The National Native Title Tribunal is placing advertisements in newspapers this week to let people know about the north-east Wiradjuri people's native title application over land near Ulan.
More...
10 August 2005
New Pilbara claim an opportunity for mediation
Pastoralists and other people with an interest in an area of land in the Pilbara region of Western Australia have an opportunity to respond to a new native title claim put forward by local Indigenous More...
10 August 2005
South-West claim stepping forward
Miners, pastoralists and other people with an interest in a large area of land in the South-West, have an opportunity to respond to a native title application, put forward by local Indigenous people. More...
27 July 2005
Pilki people move forward with native title
Miners and other people with an interest in an area of land in the Central Desert have an opportunity to respond to a native title application, put forward by local Indigenous people.
The Pi More...
08 June 2005
De Rose Hill marks native title first for SA
A South Australian Indigenous group has successfully proved its continuous spiritual and physical connection to a far north-west pastoral lease today after the Federal Court made its first finding of n More...
08 April 2005
Report shows agreements are the way forward
National Native Title Tribunal President Graeme Neate has welcomed the release of a wide-ranging report, which supports negotiated outcomes to indigenous land issues and a whole of government approac More...
29 March 2005
Native title mapping data now online
Spatial data used to map native title boundaries is now available free online.
The mapping data produced and maintained by the National Native Title Tribunal, a statutory agency of the Attor More...
24 March 2005
Tribunal registers Wik agreements
The Wik and Wik Way peoples and pastoralists can now coordinate their rights and activities on three north Queensland pastoral holdings following the National Native Title Tribunal's registratio More...
2004
13 October 2004
Agreement settles Wik native title claim
The Queensland native title claim that brought Australia's Indigenous people and pastoralists together to discuss co-existing rights, today has resulted in two consent determinations recognising the Wi More...
16 June 2004
Sassie Island native title claim advertised
The National Native Title Tribunal has placed advertisements in newspapers today to notify people about a native title application that covers Sassie Island and surrounding islets in Queensland' More...
21 April 2004
Kooma People's native title claim advertised
The National Native Title Tribunal has placed advertisements in metropolitan and regional newspapers today, notifying people with an interest in a native title claim between Cunnamulla and St George in More...
2003
12 November 2003
Map links to native title information on web
People seeking information about native title claims can now access a package via the National Native Title Tribunal's website that includes a map of the area under claim as well as detailed bac More...
2002
12 December 2002
High Court dismisses Yorta Yorta appeal
Requirements for proving native title were clarified today when the High Court dismissed the Yorta Yorta People's appeal against a Federal Court finding that their forbears had ceased to occupy More...
24 April 2002
Land use agreement gets final approval
The National Native Title Tribunal has given the green light to a land use agreement between a mining company and indigenous people over 7,500 square kilometres of land around Tennant Creek in the No More...
2001
01 December 2001
Native title takes new approach to mediation
Traditional mediation techniques have had to be adapted and refined to accommodate the size, complexity and cross-cultural nature of native title matters, an international conference in Adelaide hear More...
28 November 2001
Arakwal indigenous land use agreement
An Indigenous Land Use Agreement between the Arakwal People of northern NSW and the State Government - celebrated today at a ceremony at Cape Byron - may be a major catalyst for similar agreements in N More...
24 September 2001
Native title meetings to be held in Balranald
Balranald will play host this week to the first formal meetings between the National Native Title Tribunal and groups involved in the Muthi Muthi native title claim.
National Native Title Tr More...
23 July 2001
Native Title Forum: 1-3 August, Brisbane
Since the 1998 amendments to the Native Title Act, Indigenous Land Use Agreements are increasingly being used to determine the use and management of land between native title holders and others - how e More...
02 April 2001
Progress in native title talks
National Native Title Tribunal President Graeme Neate today said there were new signs of a breakthrough in the resolution of native title issues in Western Australia's Goldfields.
Mr Ne More...
07 March 2001
Tribunal advertises land use agreement
The National Native Title Tribunal today moved to give notice of a land use agreement between the New South Wales Government and the Arakwal of the Bundjalung People over the creation of the Arakwal More...
21 February 2001
Native title letters sent in error
The National Native Title Tribunal today said many leaseholders in north west New South Wales had been sent formal notices of native title applications - even though they were not affected by the claim More...
21 February 2001
Tribunal advertises land use agreement
The National Native Title Tribunal today moved to advertise a land use agreement between the South Australia Government, indigenous people and developers of a proposed marina near Port Vincent.
T More...
07 February 2001
Notice given on six native title applications
People with an interest in land and waters within the boundaries of six native title applications in regional South Australia have today been given notice to come forward if they want to take part in m More...
30 January 2001
Mining companies briefed on native title
The National Native Title Tribunal today launched an information program to brief more than 100 mining companies operating in the Northern Territory on dealing with native title.
Tribunal State Manage More...
2000
13 December 2000
Lamalama application moves towards mediation
The National Native Title Tribunal today called for landholders and other interest holders affected by a 79 square kilometre native title application in far north Queensland to register for mediation More...
13 December 2000
Turrbal application moves towards mediation
A long standing native title application over forests, some parks and unallocated State land in the Brisbane area has moved to the next stage with preparation for mediation talks.
The Nation More...
11 December 2000
Tribunal rules on Anaconda mining leases
The National Native Title Tribunal has given the go ahead to the grant of seven mining tenements in the north east goldfields needed for the expansion of the Anaconda nickel and cobalt project.
More...
29 November 2000
Western NSW native title applications
The National Native Title Tribunal today advertised five native title applications in western New South Wales, inviting interest holders to register as parties to the proceedings.
New South More...
04 October 2000
Wik Peoples’ native title recognised
National Native Title Tribunal President Mr Graeme Neate today congratulated the Wik and Wik Way Peoples on achieving formal recognition of their native title rights under Australian law. The deci More...
11 September 2000
Fact sheets aim to combat native title myths
"... we haven't got enough bloody room around Australia to actually have free range hens because there's so much native title."
talkback caller, September 2000
The National Native Title Tribunal toda More...
09 August 2000
Native title letters sent in error
The National Native Title Tribunal today said many landholders in the Eyre Peninsula and beyond had been sent notices of a native title application - despite being outside the claim boundary.
More...
03 August 2000
Information update on Kaurareg negotiations
The National Native Title Tribunal today invited Torres Strait residents to information updates on the Kaurareg native title applications.
Public information meetings will be held on Monday More...
02 August 2000
New cd-rom aims to demystify native title
The National Native Title Tribunal today stepped up its efforts to demystify native title by launching a multimedia information kit to help people navigate their way through the complex laws.
Launchin More...
07 June 2000
Tribunal moves to reassure leaseholders
The National Native Title Tribunal has moved to reassure Goldfields residents who were advised their leases may be affected by the Widji native title application.
State Manager Andrew Jagger More...
04 February 2000
Yarning about Indigenous Land Use Agreements
The National Native Title Tribunal today took another step to encourage the negotiated settlement of native title issues with the launch of a new information program for indigenous people.
A More...
1999
24 November 1999
Legal structures next step in native title
The National Native Title Tribunal today moved to build a bridge between indigenous law and custom and the Australian legal system with the release of a detailed guide to the design of native title cor More...
11 October 1999
Tribunal prepares for native title mediation
The National Native Title Tribunal will meet farming, local government and Aboriginal groups in the Wimmera region this week to prepare for the Wotjobaluk native title mediation.
The meetings More...
30 September 1999
One year on native title conditions improve
The National Native Title Tribunal says conditions are improving for the settlement of the nation's six hundred native title applications by agreement rather than Court action.
Marking the first More...
31 August 1999
Tribunal prepared for Territory workload
The National Native Title Tribunal today said it was ready to boost staff and resources in the Northern Territory to handle any influx of mining and exploration work under federal native title laws fol More...
20 July 1999
Teachers to learn about native title
Primary and secondary school Aboriginal studies teachers are to be introduced to native title concepts in an innovative new scheme to be piloted in Western Australia.
The National Native Titl More...
25 May 1999
Land threat claim disappointing
The National Native Title Tribunal today said it was disappointed by a Federal Parliamentarian's claim that most of Western Australia was "up for grabs" as a result of native title ap More...
25 May 1999
Tribunal urges kickstart to negotiations
National Native Title Tribunal President Graeme Neate today predicted a 75 per cent drop in the number of Goldfields native title applications would be the result of indigenous efforts to rationalise More...
11 May 1999
Tribunal praises LGAQ on education campaign
National Native Title Tribunal President Mr Graeme Neate today congratulated the Local Government Association of Queensland for its education drive on native title issues.
Mr Neate is taking pa More...
30 March 1999
United Flinders Ranges claim passes new test
A 72,000 square kilometre native title application in the Flinders Ranges has become the first in South Australia to pass the registration test under new Federal native title laws.
National More...
25 March 1999
Koara application passes registration test
A group of six native title applications in the north west Goldfields which combined to form the single, 46,000 square kilometre Koara application has passed a stringent test under new Federal native More...
19 March 1999
Green light for Murrin Murrin mining leases
The National Native Title Tribunal today cleared the way for the grant of eight mineral tenements to Anaconda Nickel Limited for the expansion of the Murrin Murrin nickel project between Leonora and More...
04 March 1999
Queensland claims win right to negotiate
Five native title applications have passed the registration test, introduced with the new Federal native title laws last year, ensuring they have the right to negotiate on mining projects in Central More...
02 March 1999
New President sworn in
Queensland Land Tribunal Chairman Graeme Neate was today sworn in as the new President of the National Native Title Tribunal in a brief ceremony in Perth.
Mr Neate, who has an extensive More...
12 February 1999
First native title agreements in Torres Strait
In a special sitting in Cairns today, the Federal Court has formally recognised native title in two separate determinations covering Moa and Sabai Islands in the Torres Strait.
Moa and Sabai are the More...
01 February 1999
Flinders Ranges native title applicants unite
Five overlapping native title applications by the Adnyamathanha people in South Australia's Flinders Ranges have been united in one application after extensive negotiations.
National Native Title Trib More...
12 January 1999
Goldfields native title applicants unite
Indigenous people in the Goldfields have taken new steps to combine efforts on a series of native title applications in the north west and southern Goldfields.
Documents filed in the Federal Court yes More...
12 January 1999
Southwest claims discontinued
Eight South West and Great Southern native title applications stretching from the Perth metropolitan area to Esperance have been discontinued.
Announcing the development today, National More...
1998
24 December 1998
Tribunal seeks talks with WA Government
National Native Title Tribunal President Justice Robert French today said the Tribunal would seek talks with the State Government early in the New Year to explore ways to reach agreements on Wes More...
21 December 1998
Tribunal ruling good faith negotiations a must
The National Native Title Tribunal has ruled that it cannot hear the case for the grant of 15 mining leases in the Goldfields and Great Southern regions because the Western Australian government More...
16 December 1998
Gunggari claim takes a step forward
The Gungarri people's native title application took a step forward last Saturday, with the presentation of the applicants' 'connection report'. The report describes the history o More...
30 November 1998
Native title seminars in south west Qld
Graziers, local government representatives, Aboriginal people and others are invited to attend a free seminar in Cunnamulla and Roma next week, to explain the new native title laws.The two day seminars More...
30 November 1998
New native title laws explained in Cunnumulla
Graziers, local government representatives, Aboriginal people and others are invited to attend a free seminar in Cunnamulla next week, to explain the new native title laws.The two day seminar will expl More...
30 November 1998
New native title laws explained in Roma
Graziers, local government representatives, Aboriginal people and others are invited to attend a free seminar in Roma next week, to explain the new native title laws.
The two day seminar wil More...
24 November 1998
Miriuwung Gajerrong case has lessons for all
National Native Title Tribunal President Justice Robert French said the Federal Court's decision today that native title existed over part of the land claimed by the Miriuwung Gajerrong people would ma More...
19 November 1998
Native title seminar in Torres Strait
Torres Strait residents are invited to attend a seminar on Thursday Island run by the National Native Title Tribunal on 10 - 11 December. Attendance is open to all people at no cost, but people must re More...
05 November 1998
Mackay to host native title seminar
Residents of Mackay and surrounding areas are invited to attend a seminar run by the National Native Title Tribunal next week. Attendance is free, but people must register with the Tribunal by Monda More...
26 October 1998
Tribunal to explain new native title rules
Queenslanders still puzzled about new native title laws are invited to attend a seminar run by the National Native Title Tribunal.
The Tribunal will run a series of eight seminars throu More...
12 October 1998
Native title update for Magnetic Island
The National Native Title Tribunal will host two public information sessions at the Arcadia Resort Magnetic Island on Wednesday 14 October, at 10.30am and 7.00pm.
Tribunal Member Geoff Clark said t More...
02 October 1998
Way cleared for Wickham Point project
The National Native Title Tribunal has cleared the way for the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant on 600 hectares of land at Wickham Point in Darwin Harbour by approving the compulsory More...
18 September 1998
Amendments joined to Native Title Act
Attention: parliamentary, legal and Indigenous affairs reporters
The National Native Title Tribunal's Legal Research Section has compiled a consolidated version of the Native Title Act 1993 tha More...
11 September 1998
Native title agreements top 1,200
The first national audit of native title agreements since the introduction of native title laws nearly five years ago revealed more than 1,200 agreements had been struck between miners, pastoralists, d More...
08 September 1998
Resignation of Tribunal Member
The President of the National Native Title Tribunal, Justice Robert French, today expressed appreciation for the service rendered by outgoing Tribunal Member Rick Farley who has resigned to contest an More...
04 September 1998
Darwin native title applications sent to court
The National Native Title Tribunal has referred two Darwin native title applications to the Federal Court for resolution.
Tribunal Registrar Chris Doepel today said the two applications covered 1 More...
19 August 1998
NNTT will vet WA claims
National Native Title Tribunal President Justice Robert French today confirmed that the federal Tribunal would eventually have to relocate its national headquarters from Perth if the Western Australian More...
13 August 1998
Tribunal rejects "lack of good faith" claim
The National Native Title Tribunal has rejected a submission by lawyers for Goldfields native title applicants that the Western Australian Government did not act in good faith in negotiations over the More...
30 July 1998
Native title application need not alarm
The National Native Title Tribunal today said a native title application covering parts of 13 south-west local authority areas was no cause for alarm.
Tribunal Registrar Christopher Doepel said the ap More...
24 July 1998
Antarctica native title claim frivolous
The National Native Title Tribunal today said a proposed native title application over Antarctica by a Western Australian Aboriginal group would serve no purpose.
Tribunal President Justice Robert More...
08 July 1998
South west native title application rejected
A Western Australian native title application covering the South West Shire of Boyup Brook has been rejected by the National Native Title Tribunal.
Known as the Kanana application, it was lodged More...
08 July 1998
New policy to speed up native title mediation
The National Native Title Tribunal has introduced new measures to accelerate the resolution of native title applications.
Queensland Regional Director of the NNTT Simon Nish today said the measures More...
03 July 1998
Native title application rejected
A Western Australian native title application stretching from Guilderton to Southern Cross and south to Corrigin has been formally rejected by the National Native Title Tribunal.
The application, More...
01 July 1998
Tribunal welcomes Spinifex agreement
The National Native Title Tribunal today congratulated native title applicants and the State Government on reaching an agreement which was underpinned by the recognition of traditional Aboriginal owner More...
24 June 1998
Tribunal hands down Koara determination
The National Native Title Tribunal has given the go ahead for seven mining leases to be issued by the State Government in an area which was the subject of a native title application by the Koara people More...
19 June 1998
Goldfields overlaps reduced
Overlaps in four native title applications in the southern Goldfields region have been eliminated following extensive mediation assisted by the National Native Title Tribunal.
Tribunal member Ton More...
18 June 1998
Largest native title application withdrawn
The National Native Title Tribunal today confirmed that it had been verbally advised that Australia's largest native title application - Ngyullee Ba Marbithar Boogoolaba Nyinnargoo application - More...
15 June 1998
Tribunal rejects native title application
The National Native Title Tribunal has formally rejected a native title application over 36,000 square kilometres of the Wheatbelt and South West of Western Australia.
The application, which stre More...
21 May 1998
Brisbane native title application lodged
An application for recognition of native title in the Brisbane area has been lodged with the National Native Title Tribunal by the Turrbal people.
Tribunal Registrar Chris Doepel said the applica More...
20 May 1998
New Tribunal member appointed
National Native Title Tribunal President Justice Robert French today announced the appointment of Cairns based lawyer, Geoffrey Clark, as a part-time member of the Tribunal for three years.
Mr Cl More...
14 May 1998
Mediation clears the way for diamond venture
The way has been cleared for further exploration and the possible development of a diamond mine near Kununurra following agreements negotiated between traditional Aboriginal owners and mining joint ven More...
19 March 1998
Century Zinc not affected by new claim
A new native title claim lodged in north-west Queensland will have no effect on the Century Zinc Agreement or the validity of the existing Pasminco mining leases, National Native Title Tribun More...
26 February 1998
Tribunal sees hope to resolve claim overlaps
The President of the National Native Title Tribunal, Justice Robert French, has expressed cautious optimism about the future of native title agreements, following recent Tribunal and Aboriginal Land Co More...
1997
18 December 1997
President welcomes appointment of new Registrar
President of the National Native Title Tribunal, Justice Robert French, today welcomed the Commonwealth Government's announcement of the appointment of Mr Christopher Doepel as the new Native Title Reg More...
24 October 1997
Wickham Point arbitration commences
A Tribunal hearing into the compulsory acquisition of any native title rights that may exist over land and waters at Wickham Point will commence in Darwin today.
Presiding Member Professor Douglas Wi More...
27 August 1997
Negotiations lead to pipeline agreement
Tribunal President Justice Robert French today congratulated native title groups and the developers of the Eastern Gas Pipeline on the successful conclusion of negotiations that will see compensation p More...
07 May 1997
Tribunal welcomes Century Zinc result
Tribunal President Justice Robert French today congratulated native title claimants, Century Zinc Ltd and the State of Queensland on reaching agreement allowing for the go-ahead of the Century Zinc pro More...
06 May 1997
Century Zinc hearing adjourned
The National Native Title Tribunal today granted a second adjournment in its hearing into the future of the Century Zinc project.
Representatives for the State of Queensland, Century Zinc Ltd and More...
02 May 1997
Tribunal required to notify leaseholders
Leaseholders whose properties are subject to a native title claim are notified in writing by the National Native Title Tribunal as soon as possible after a claim is lodged according to Tribunal Preside More...
22 April 1997
Century Zinc hearings start in Mt Isa
National Native Title Tribunal members the Hon Paul Seaman QC, the Hon Mr Christopher Sumner and Ms Diane Smith will commence hearings into the future of the Century Zinc project in Mt Isa on Monday, 5 More...
14 April 1997
Century Zinc hearing adjourned to 5 May
Tribunal hearings into the future of the Century Zinc project in north-west Queensland are now to commence in Mt Isa on 5 May after the National Native Title Tribunal granted native title parties an ad More...
05 April 1997
Tribunal rejects claims over private freehold
Tribunal President Justice Robert French said today that the National Native Title Tribunal did not accept native title claims over private freehold land.
Recent public statements suggesting that nat More...
04 April 1997
Larrakia claim to be mediated
The Larrakia native title claim, over crown land, reserves and waters in and around Darwin, has been accepted for mediation by the National Native Title Tribunal.
As soon as details of interest h More...
03 April 1997
Mediation meeting at Ceduna
A mediation conference involving three native title claims on the west coast of South Australia concluded today in Ceduna, according to presiding Tribunal Member Paul Seaman QC.
The Mirning, Yala More...
20 March 1997
Arbitration of Century Zinc project
The National Native Title Tribunal handed down initial directions today, setting out the future course of its arbitration in relation to the Century Zinc project.
Mr Paul Seaman QC, presiding, di More...
19 February 1997
Native title on the net
A new information service offering comprehensive details of all native title applications is now available on the Internet at www.nntt.gov.au.
The National Native Title Tribunal today launched its upg More...
18 February 1997
Kunja native title claim excludes leasehold
A native title claim by the Kunja people over an area north of Bourke expressly excludes agricultural leasehold land, according to the National Native Title Tribunal.
Kunja native title claimants More...
17 February 1997
Tribunal to arbitrate on Century Zinc project
The National Native Title Tribunal has been called on to arbitrate on the grant of leases to Century Zinc mine after negotiations between native title claimants, Century Zinc Ltd and the State of Queen More...
15 January 1997
Wiradjuri claim amended
The National Native Title Tribunal has today amended the application for recognition of native title over Crown land in and around Narrandera made on behalf of the Narrandera Wiradjuri Aboriginal commu More...
1996
23 December 1996
Wik decision
The decision of the High Court in the Wik case delivered today shows that there is no easy and general legal answer to the question whether pastoral leases extinguish native title, according to Tribuna More...
20 December 1996
Tribunal chairs Century negotiations
The first full round of negotiations bringing all of the parties together to discuss the future of the Century Zinc mining project in Queensland's gulf country has concluded in Mt Isa.
The negoti More...
02 December 1996
Century negotiations on hold
Negotiations surrounding the Century Zinc mine in north-west Queensland have been deferred for two weeks following the death of one of the Aboriginal claimants.
Tribunal President Justice Robert More...
14 November 1996
Progress made in talks with miners
Native title negotiations between the Koara native title claimants and miners in the north-west Goldfields took a step forward today according to Tribunal Member Tony Lee.
At a meeting held in More...
14 November 1996
Progress made in talks with miners
Native title negotiations between the Koara native title claimants and miners in the north-west Goldfields took a step forward today, according to Tribunal Member Tony Lee.
At a meeting held in K More...
06 November 1996
Native title issues clarified by Tribunal
Tribunal Registrar Patricia Lane said today that both Commonwealth and State native title acts validated existing pastoral leases and native title claims could not displace existing rights, regardless More...
16 October 1996
Native title seminars for Expo visitors
The Goldfields Mediation Service will hold a series of introductory native title seminars for miners, prospectors, explorers and others to coincide with the three-day Goldfields Mining Expo.
The More...
09 October 1996
Native title first at Crescent Head
The Tribunal President Justice Robert French today announced the resolution of a native title application by the Dunghutti people of Crescent Head, describing it as a first for mainland Australia.
More...
27 September 1996
What is native title?
Native title is the term used by Australia's High Court to describe the common law rights and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in land and waters, according to their traditiona More...
27 September 1996
Tribunal appoints Century negotiating team
The National Native Title Tribunal today appointed a team of four mediators to assist in negotiations between native title claimants, the Queensland State Government and mining company Century Zinc ove More...
21 August 1996
Tribunal establishes a registry in Brisbane
The National Native Title Tribunal is establishing a registry in Brisbane.
Located at 15 Adelaide Street, the new office will provide full registry services from 1 October, 1996. Prior to that, a More...
14 August 1996
Tribunal to open Goldfields Mediation Service
The Goldfields Mediation Service, aimed at facilitating agreements between native title claimants and miners, will be officially opened by Tribunal President Justice Robert French on Thursday, 22 Augus More...
07 August 1996
Tribunal rules on negotiation "in good faith"
An application to the Tribunal for arbitration in relation to the grant of a mining lease has been dismissed after a decision handed down today showed the State Government had failed to negotiate in go More...
21 July 1996
Tribunal approves mining in two test cases
Tribunal President Justice French said today the Tribunal's second comprehensive ruling in relation to the grant of mining leases in Western Australia further clarified the type of decisions miners, St More...
11 June 1996
Three applications referred to Federal Court
Three native title applications have been referred to the Federal Court for litigation after parties failed to reach agreement through mediation and direct negotiations.
Two Northern Territory ap More...
31 May 1996
Native title misunderstood
Better understanding of the processes used to negotiate native title agreements and mining on native title land would help allay community concerns, according to Tribunal Member Tony Lee.
Mr Lee More...
30 April 1996
Mediation service to open in Goldfields
At a meeting in Kalgoorlie today the Goldfields Land Council ratified a memorandum of understanding with the National Native Title Tribunal about the establishment of a Goldfields Mediation Council and More...
25 March 1996
Native title information for the Goldfields
A series of public meetings aimed at improving community understanding of native title will be held in all major Goldfields towns over two weeks from 1 April.
The meetings, run by the National Nati More...
23 January 1996
Fraser Island native title claim amended
Two substantial amendments to a native title claim over part of Fraser Island, in Queensland, have been announced by the National Native Title Tribunal.
The claim area, in the south-west More...