The Koori Mail is a fortnightly newspaper focusing on national Indigenous issues. Each month Tribunal President Graeme Neate or another Tribunal representative contributes a column titled Native title and you. The columns outline key determinations, themes and issues relating to native title.
Tribunal work is helping to make history 11 August
Commitment is reinforced 14 July 2010
President Graeme Neate reaffirms the Tribunal's commitment to facilitating timely and effective native title and related outcomes, following the Federal Government's budget announcement in May.
Conference an opportunity to discuss, reflect 16 June 2010
President Graeme Neate reflects on the significance of the AIATSIS native title conference, where native title progress and issues are examined by stakeholders from around Australia.
See it through 19 May 2010
In the lead-up to National Reconciliation Week, President Graeme Neate looks at how native title has contributed to reconciliation.
Report shows positive trend 21 April 2010
President Graeme Neate discusses native title progress and trends as shown in the Tribunal’s National Report: Native Title for July–December 2009.
Tribunal surveys view of clients 24 March 2010
Workplace Planning and Communication manager Tim Evans explains the reason for the Tribunal's client satisfaction survey and encourages stakeholders to take part.
Time of change for native title 24 February 2010
President Graeme Neate explains the changes that have been made to the Native Title Act recently and what's likely to come in 2010.
Alternative approaches 27 January 2010
President Graeme Neate looks at alternative approaches that indigenous groups, governments and other stakeholders are taking to resolve native title claims.
A busy year for Tribunal 16 December 2009
President Graeme Neate reports that achievement and change have been features of native line in Australia and the work of the National Native Title Tribunal in 2009.
DVD to help all parties 18 November 2009
President Graeme Neate describes the Tribunal's new Mining and native title DVD and other information products available which can help people understand the native title process.
Libraries play important role 21 October 2009
Library Services manager Kathy Wright explains how specialist information available from Tribunal libraries is helping people involved in native title to progress their negotiations.
Members have important role 23 September 2009
President Graeme Neate outlines the role and responsibilities of the Tribunal's members, and announces the reappointment of Member Bob Faulkner.
Coming to terms on ownership 26 August 2009
Senior research officer David Edelman explains the term traditional ownership, which was the focus of a paper he presented at the 2009 AIATSIS Native Title Conference. Read his paper at Speeches and papers.
Charting the way - Determination was 41st and a first 29 July 2009
Member Graham Fletcher explains the history of the Kuuku Ya'u People's native title application, which was determined on 25 June. It was the first time a Queensland group has had its sea rights recognised by agreement.
Victoria has its own approach 1 July 2009
President Graeme Neate discusses why there can be a need for alternative approaches to native title, including the new Victorian Native Title Settlement Framework.
Progress has been made since 1992 3 June 2009
President Graeme Neate's column published on Mabo Day reflects on the history of native title since the Native Title Act began operating on New Year's Day 1994.
Challenges ahead 6 May 2009
President Graeme Neate says significant challenges must be met if the promise of native title recognition is to be realised for some Indigenous Australians.
Tribunal report shows how claims progress 25 March 2009
President Graeme Neate reflects on native title activity and progress, as outlined in the Tribunal's latest six-monthly report.
Room for improvement 25 February 2009
President Graeme Neate examines the achievements of the Native Title Act over 15 years, but notes the system could still be improved.
Change in the wind 28 January 2009
Acting President Chris Sumner examines the background to current proposals for changes to the native title system.
2008 in review 17 December 2008
President Graeme Neate reflects on the Tribunal's achievements in 2008 and looks forward to 2009.
New Registrar is on the job 19 November 2008
Stephanie Fryer-Smith began work as the Tribunal's Registrar on 20 October 2008 - she explains her background.and aspirations for the Tribunal.
Bringing parties together 22 October 2008
Native title is different to negotiation in other areas of life, where just two players may be brought together to argue opposing views. In native title, parties can be numerous and diverse, and relationships complex.
Witjira determination a first for SA national parks 8 October 2008
Native title determinations over national parks often include co-management agreements that give indigenous people recognition and ownership of their land while also protecting precious natural environments.
Standards set for assessing basis of claim September 2008
Recent Federal Court hearings reviewing a decision not to register a native title claim in Queensland have caused speculation on how claims will now be affected. The effect has been minimal.
Differences highlighted August 2008
The recent Blue Mud Bay decision in the Northern Territory will not directly affect native title claims as it relates to the territory's land rights legislation.
A fair go is the key July 2008
NAIDOC Week's 2008 theme Advance Australia Fair? gave us all an opportunity to reflect on how well we are faring in resolving native title issues around Australia.
Putting native title in context June 2008
Concerns have been expressed about the National Native Title Tribunal's estimate that it will take about 30 years to resolve native title claims across Australia.
Litigation v negotiation May 2008
Taking native title claims through the courts can be risky, time-consuming and costly for all parties.
Focus on the mining boom April 2008
The current resource boom in Australia has many people focused on the mining and exploration industry - and native title holders are no exception.
More than symbolic March 2008
In recent years, the National Native Title Tribunal has seen social, psychological, cultural and economic benefits to Indigenous communities as a result of having their native title recognised.
Ipswich indigenous land use agreement February 2008
Through goodwill, good planning and cooperation, groups can achieve successful native title outcomes in local government areas that respect everyone’s rights and interests.
Anniversary marks special DVD January 2008
Last year 3 June marked 15 years of native title in Australia and to mark the occasion, the Tribunal produced a DVD documenting the history of this complex part of Australian law.
Highs, lows of 2007 December 2007
This year has been one of celebration for many involved in native title, and disappointment for others. It also saw the most significant changes to the Native Title Act in a decade.
Agreement making an effective path November 2007
Reaching an agreement that satisfies all parties is a challenge. Many would agree that native title negotiations can be time consuming and in some cases there can be dozens, even hundreds, of parties negotiating about their rights and interests.
Reconciliation requires respect October 2007
Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians - once again a focus of public debate - can be achieved through cooperation, mutual respect and building relationships.
How best to proceed September 2007
With about 575 native title applications currently in the system, there are practical questions about how best to progress them. Is it better to negotiate or argue in court? How should claims be prioritised? Are test cases useful for resolving other claims?
Groups achieve success August 2007
Aboriginal land issues in the Northern Territory have recently received mixed public attention. However, despite some negative responses, three groups of native title holders have managed to achieve great things for their people.
Native title, land rights are different July 2007
Native title is not the same as land rights. Sometimes they are referred to as if they are the same, so it might be useful to highlight the main differences between them.
Recognition just part of the battle June 2007
For some native title claimants, having their native title recognised is only part of the battle. Once native title is found to exist, claimants are required by law to set up a Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) to manage their native title interests.
Senate committee recognises the value of land deals May 2007
Indigenous groups across Australia have become involved in managing national parks and state forests under native title agreements reached with governments and other parties.
Native title changes now a reality April 2007
Changes to the native title system proposed by the Australian Government are a reality. The Native Title Amendment Act 2007 has been through the final stage of Royal Assent to become legislation.
NT reforms may be the last chance March 2007
Reforms of the native title system will achieve stronger and faster results for many of the remaining claims around Australia if native title claimants, governments and others can work together in good faith to negotiate outcomes.
Benefits delivered February 2007
Agreements made to settle native title across Australia vary enormously - delivering different outcomes and benefits to the groups involved.
100th determination will be native title milestone January 2007
This year is shaping up to be the year that Australia will have its 100th determination of native title - a significant milestone for those involved in the claim and a reminder to everyone of the progress of claims over the past decade.
Wik ruling led to a new era December 2006
With the 10-year anniversary of the Wik decision rapidly approaching, I would like to reflect on how this historic decision has affected relationships between Indigenous communities and pastoralists.
Planning vital to agreement November 2006
On 25 October 2006 the Registrar addressed the Minerals Council of Australia’s annual Sustainable Development conference, delivering a presentation on native title and sustainable agreement-making.
Nyoongar decision has nation talking October 2006
The recent Federal Court decision recognising the native title rights and interests of Noongar people over some of the metropolitan area of Perth has brought native title to the nation’s attention once again.
Outcomes will be streamlined September 2006
People involved in native title negotiations have now had a few weeks to learn more about the Australian Government’s response to the claims resolution review - one aspect of a six-part reform package for the native title system.
Agreement gives owners a say over their country August 2006
A recent agreement for the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park in South Australia has shown how state legislation can work together with native title to ensure traditional owners have a say over their country.
A deal that's up to par July 2006
You might think it’s unusual to blend Indigenous art and culture with golf but native title claimants and resort owners in central Victoria have done just this and will reap benefits as a result.
Agreement making is the best way forward June 2006
Agreement-making has long been put forward as one of the most practical ways to resolve native title issues.
Win brings happiness May 2006
Few would disagree that native title claimants have to invest a lot of time and energy into the native title process to have their rights to their traditional lands recognised.
Goldfields lead way April 2006
Indigenous claimants from the North West Goldfields of Western Australia have shown how preparation and dedication can lead to the resolution of overlapping native title issues.
Negotiations work March 2006
Native title negotiations can lead to positive results for all parties – as the Western Yalanji People of far north Queensland have demonstrated twice in the past eight years.
Registrar plays a vital role February 2006
The Registrar of the National Native Title Tribunal was awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) in this year’s Australia Day Honours List. Chris Doepel heads the corporate management of the Tribunal and performs important statutory functions crucial to the registration of native title claims, determinations and indigenous land use agreements (ILUAs).
Now is the time to have your say January 2006
The year has kicked off with many changes underway for Indigenous Australians. Now is the time to have a say about proposed changes to indigenous rights to land.
Another year of milestones December 2005
As 2005 draws to a close, we find ourselves on the brink of possible reforms that should help us all meet the challenges of native title.
A community experience November 2005
Elders, families, community leaders and local school students gathered in a shady river bed at Oonkalkada (Udialla Springs) last month to witness the signing of an indigenous land use agreement (ILUA) near Derby, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Flexibility in fishing September 2005
In August 2005, the Australian Government formally endorsed the National Indigenous Fishing Principals.
A year of milestones July 2005
Since the High Court’s important decision in the Mabo case of 1992, when native title was first recognised as part of Australian law, 45 consent determinations have been made Australia-wide, with more than half of these finalised over Torres Strait islands.