THE AUSTRALIAN parliament has passed legislation that gives aborigines the right to make claims on government-held territory if they can prove their unbroken connection to the land.
Under the law, passed in December, aborigines are obliged to respect mining, ranching and other leases on any property they win claim to. And, though they can argue against commercial projects, they do not have the power to veto them.
More than one-seventh of the country has already been set aside for the aborigines and the new law will affect an additional 5 to 10 per cent of the country. However, most aborigines now live in the cities and would, therefore, have no chance to establish valid claims on land.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.