The signing of a native title agreement in South Australia allowing the acceleration of oil and gas exploration in the Cooper Basin further demonstrates that the Native Title Act provides an effective mechanism for the resolution of issues involving native title and development, National Native Title Tribunal President, Graeme Neate, said today.
Mr Neate congratulated the South Australian State Government, the five Aboriginal communities and eight exploration companies that yesterday signed the agreement, ending a constructive negotiation process.
"The Cooper Basin is one of many areas across Australia where native title agreements have been struck between resources industry companies and Aboriginal communities, under the Native Title Act," he said.
"I welcome the fact that more and more groups are entering into a negotiation process to discuss the future uses of a particular area of land and, in a climate of mutual respect, to resolve issues associated with native title and development.
"The Native Title Act has again proved to be an effective mechanism through which such issues can be resolved." |