Centre for Native Title Anthropology Conference
President
Kevin Smith presented at the 2026 Centre for Native Title Anthropology Annual
Conference on 5 February in Brisbane.
His
presentation titled System Challenges & Opportunities reflected on
the challenges as we transition into the post-determination context.
These
include increased workloads, greater workforce pressure, limited resources and
increased structural tensions.
“A
solution is better system coordination,” said President Smith.
While
native title stakeholders are bound by operational sensitivities and
constraints, along with heavy workloads, coordinated system investment needs to
be embedded in the day-to-day work, he said.
“Everyone
needs to be accountable and committed to a shared system vision.”
President
Smith noted the importance of preserving cultural knowledge/evidence for
multiple purposes that has been the subject of an Attorney General’s Department
driven forum. The Commonwealth Agencies have collectively stood up a
representative committee that includes CNTA (Strategic Issues Native Title
Action Group) to focus on priority projects. These include development of a
unified native title system narrative, establishing a centralised training
directory, a cadetship/graduate program to address native title system workforce
issues, and a biennial forum for stakeholder engagement and action.
Captions: Left - President Smith presenting at the Conference. Right - Katie Stride, (Native Title Registrar), NNTT,
Laurelea McGregror, (Acting National Native Title Judicial Registrar FCA) and
Georgia Morrison (Native Title Judicial Registrar NTA).
The
conference attendees were also treated to a preview of the “Shields’ exhibition
in the new Anthropology gallery.
