Reforms a welcome change
| 21/08/2006 |
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.
The reforms will expand the Tribunal's powers and functions and avoid simultaneous mediation of claims by it and the Federal Court.
Mr Neate said the policy announced by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock had the potential to make the system work better.
"The changes to the claims resolution process have the potential for positive outcomes to be reached by agreement more quickly and at less cost."
"The Government also wants to reduce the number of claims in the system which have little prospect of success, so claims that cannot be resolved are identified earlier for resolution by the court," Mr Neate said.
"The reforms recognise a need for improved communication and co-ordination between the court and the Tribunal."
Mr Neate said the Native Title Act had delivered positive results to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by enabling some groups to have their native title recognised and many groups to negotiate agreements with social and economic benefits.
He said the reforms confirm the Tribunal's long-held view that all parties involved in native title matters need to negotiate so that everyone's rights and interests are protected.
"The changes announced today will help the Tribunal work more closely with parties and others to achieve those outcomes," he said.
Information about other elements of the reforms is available at: http://www.ag.gov.au/nativetitlesystemreform.
The report and the Government's response are available at: http://www.ag.gov.au/claimsresolutionreview.
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| Janet Pinheiro |
| 08 9268 7311 |
| 0438 949 263 |
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