on Wik & Native Title

indisB'#B,H

peoples

June 1997

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Contents
Foreword
'10 Point Plan
Key Questions on the

4-9

1 What is the Ten Point Plan?

2. Was native title widely assumed to be
extinguished on pastoral leases?

3.

4.

What are the main concerns of indigenous people

with the Plan?
Does

the 10 Point

title on pastoral

5.
6.

Plan extinguish native

7

leases?

What happens to the Right to Negotiate?

What

is

the effect of applying the

'primary production' definition?.

7

Does

the l0 Point

Plan give access rights

to native title holders?

Commentary on each of the 10 Points

10-18

Explanation of some terms

19

Produced by the Wik Team

Aboriginal and Torres Strait lslander Commission

June 1 997
Copies of this report, and other native title publicatrons
are available on the lnternet at http://www.atsic.gov.au

The Ten Point Plan on

Wik and Native Title

lssues

for lndigenous Peoples

saldoad snoueEtpul

lol

sanssl

alltla^!leN pue

lt/l

uo ueld tutod uelaq.i

's)aas }t s^ps ]uaLUUla^oD aq] q)tqM

{lrpqe>ponn pue {lureyer aq} ra^llap }ou llrM i1 uorle6rlrl o} }losor pasea.nur
pue uorsnluol ur ]lnsal llrM ]uauu:a^og aq] Aq pasodord uorle;sr6a1 aq1
's1q6u a;]rl a^rleu pue puel
+o ssol aqi
loj sraploq al]l] a^rleu asuaduo:ar ra^a upr uorlesuadulor ler)upur,L +o ]unoure
oN 'rplun pue fuoieuruu)srp sr ueld lurod 0L aq] ur paurllno qteordde aq1
spuel leuorlrper] uo luaudola^ap )r.uouola 'urorl ]r+auaq pue
'ur aledr:ryed ol pue sa.rn]ln) rno palord o1 a;doad snoua6rpur rol tln:rglp fuan i1
a)euJ llrM pue aldoad snoua6rpur 1o slqbu aq] ]o ssol roleur e sr srql 'pupl uMo.rl
]uele^ uo po)npar,i;]uerr|u6rs aq lllM a1er1o6au o11q6u aql puel uMor) ]ue)e^
ol paua^ar a^eLl qrqm saspal rau.lo,t Ourpnp:ur 'saseal lerolsed uo panouar aq
;;rnn spalord 6ururur rano alergo6au ol s.raploq allll a^lleu 1o lqbu aq] 'llaM sV
's1q6u
anrleu
6urqsrn6urya
a;]r]
ro,r ;1rq uorlesuadu.ro:
o^rsseu ,iglerluagod aq] reaq 1lnn raledxel
uor]rsrnb:e q:ns rano a]er]o6au
o] alqeun s.raploq alll] a^rleu 6urneal 'slsa.lalur 6urploq puplraqlo Jo ir+auaq
aq] ro+ sauo]ulaj pue salels aqt {q sasea; lerolsed uo uor}rsrnb:e fuoslndu.ro:
,{q paqsrn6ur}xa aq o} al}r} a^r}eu ro} sMolle 1r 're1n:rped u1 a;doad snoua6rpur 1o
'pno3 q6rg aq] pasru6o:ar 's1q6u aq] 1o asuadxa ]larrp aql le 'stq6u ,sraurul
p
^q
pue ,slsrlerolsed
1o 6urper6dn ;erluelsqns ro] smolle upld ]urod O L aqj
'pabueqr Iluerltqre a.re salnr aq]'Mel uotuurol aq] ur allr] a^rleu
1o uorlru6orar palrurl pa^arq)p 6urneq pue a:r1sn[ 6ur>1aas 1o srea,{ 002 Jaue
asnplaq ]snlun sr
uno) q6lH aq] ]o suorsnap l!/1 pue zogeW aq] padsaJ
o1slre+ pue prleJlsnv 1o aldoad snoua6rpur aqi o] ]sn[un sr q:eordde up q)nS
'alu] a^rlPu sitlauoq to s1q6u
+o
a^rluelsqns aqt 1o,iue ]noq]rM I;a6re; siaploq ollr] a^rleu sa^eal ueld }ulod ol
aql pej ul ']! ]o oJnlpa1 le.rlual e aq o] alll a^rlpu 1o luauqsrn6urlxa aq] smoqs
ueld aq] 1o srs,i;eue ue ]eq] pup 'asel aqi sr srq] Ieq] anarlaq I [;a1eunpo1u1-1
'saseal

aql

]l

Ierolsed uo a1]r1 a^rleu Io ,,luaurqsrn6urlxa +o sln1la):nq,, 6urureluor

sp ueld lulod 0l aq] paqulsap seq ijn Jaq)srl r.urI uoH aql talsrur/\ aurud
,ilndaC aq] !alaMoH 'al]!] a^tleu 1o saldr:urrd aql s]:adsar pue uorsr)ap 4lA au,l
,ro

aruelda::p aq] uo paspq sr upld ]urod 0[ aq] ]eq] surel) ]uauura^o9 aql

']uau]

-ptped q]leaMuor.uulo) aq] +o uorssa5 6uud5 aq] ul pa)npollur aq o1 papadxa

are sluaulpuaurp asaql '66 t DV allll a^lleN aql o] 6urpuaue ro+ srseq aq] sp
ueld ]urod g1. s1r padole^ap ]uaruuJa^og aql uorsr)ap llA aq o1asuodsar u;
'searp
lplolsed asaq] 6urdolanap pue 6urqsrlqelsa ut alor lptluassa ue
pa{e1d uauo anpq aldoad ;eur6uoqy ,t1uno: Jraq} q}rM uor}pnosse leuor}rper}
raL{} ure}ureu o} alqe uaaq anpq pup aAIl aldoad leut6uoqy luer-u araqm seare
lerolsed ur erlerlsnv ]o puelureu aLlI uo paqsrn6urya uaaq lou seq allr] anrlpu
]eq] ]ueau ]r asnplaq 'erlprlsnv 1o aldoad snoua6rpur aq] ol ]ueuodr.nr ,!an senn
'saseal
;erolsed uo s1q6u ;erolsed qlrm ]srxa-ol plno) al]r] anrleu
pres erlerlsnv io uno) q6lH aq1
uorsr)ap

leq]

srql

1966L raqu-rala6

tZ lo uorsoap ryA Sllur

)lsrv lo uetrlrleq) 'ern{rrelo lllreD {q prornarol

This analysis of the 10 Point Plan has been prepared as a contribution to

informed discussion, and to identify the main areas of concern to indigenous
people.
ln particular, the analysis will serve as a guide to the Government s draft

legislationonthel0PointPlan. Whetherthedraftlegislationclearsuppointsof
uncertainty or simply confuses the issues with its detail remains to be seen. ln
any event, the dramatic impact the 10 Point Plan will have on the rights of
indigenous people is already certain.
ln conclusion, I wish to emphasis that indigenous people have made clear
from the outset that we accept the principle of co-existence with pastoralists,
and that we agree to the confirmation of pastoralists' existing rights, in legislation if that is necessary. However, we are not prepared to see an expansion of
pastoralists' rights at the expense of native title.
lndigenous people remain prepared to take part in bona fide negotiations
with governments and industry groups to develop fair and practical arrangements that will bring certainty for all parties.

@k*
Gatjil Djerrkura OAM
Chairman
ATSIC

The Wik Peoples v Queensland and Ors (1996) 121 ALR 129
Mabo v Queensland (No2) (1992) 175 CLR 1

The Ten Point Plan on

Wik and Native Title

lssues

for lndigenous Peoples

saldoad snoua6rpul rol sanssl

alllt a^lleN pue )rM uo ueld ]ulod ual aql

')rM u0 sJaA4suT pue sualsan) aw)s

snld sluaunrop asaq] 6utlerodrolut '/66 L aunf V uo ueld lutod ual aql uotsDa] \l/V aq ol asuodsau
s,luawua^ag Flapal aq pasealar 1a]sruil aL!ud aq] o] fuplaJlas fueluauer;re6 'urrlrull loleuaS
pauppxl ueld Nlod 0t aql:\IAA luaunlop alroj )spl )rM s,iuauJura^o9 aq] ur paleroqela raq1rn]
,{e4 g uo r a}sru rN auud aqt ,{q pasea;ar se/il upld }urod 0 L aq} }o uorsra^ papuaule uV "
anq6ouo6,6 srol ssrl [q ptouatog gq1 ,
pue 166

966

I raqula^oN

3151y saTdoao,snoua1tpul tolsanssl -66tDVafitLa^tt?Naqtotsluawpuawypasodo4aa5

6ur1ro1,1 snoua6rpul

leuolleN

9661

aql pue uo$Da] 4!/\A aql ol asuodsar

pV

aBlJ a^AeN aql

166t llrdv allrt a^rleN uo dnorg

ol guaapuawv pasodot4 sluawwar,og

uatl$od snoua5pul :,+4upya1 pue uoqeqo'ay -

a)ualsixao]

'paraMsueun ro reallun suor]

-eraprsuo) Ia1 1o raqunu p sa^eal pue puelsrapun oI ]uaLxn)op ]lnlr+]rp e sr uPld

lulod 0 [ aq] 'lle ur 1;y 6urpeaq auo ueqi arou lapun q]lM ]leap are q)rqM ]o
auros 'sanssr aleredas jo Jaqurnu e Ja^o) sburpeeq aql jo aLUoS s6urppaq ..rofeu.r
ua] are

araql 'slurod 0l ueq] aroLr,{ueu surP}uol }le} ur ueld }utod 0L aql

'uorssa5 6uud5

aq] ur luaurerlred olur )t!/1 ol asuodsar aq] puP sluaLupuaure 966 1 aq] 6ur
paler6alur ue a)npollur o1 sasodo.rd
aql
,anol
]uaurura^o9
]uaurpuaue
llrE
's1qbu a;]r] anrleu 6urqsrn6urya pue 6unnpar
+o uorpairp
aql ur raqun+ uana saob ueld ]ulod 0 L aql 's)oas ]uaururo^og aqi q)rqM
,{}ureUa: pasparlur pue firlrqe>1ronn panordu.r aq} ro} adr:ar aqi,i;preq sr srql
'spunor6 raqlo pup
leuorlnlrlsuo3 uo suno) aql ur sa6ualleq) pup uorlualuol

'uorsnluol ur
]lnsa.r
lpnn uorlelsr6al pasodord aq]'rea^ ]sel lno palurod sy
,s1qOu al]l] a^tleu ]ueuodutt {enne du}s s}uaupuautP asaqf
e;doad snoua6rpur o1 uraruol rofeu yo aram 'saseal le]o]sed 1o 6urper6dn

aq] pup 'ssa:ord srl.rel) aq] o1 6ut1e;at slaueu snoup^ 'a1et1oOa5 o] ]q6!U
all] ]o uorlerado aq] 6urura:uor ,{;leoadsa 's}uaupuau.re asoql sa^r}piuasardar
snoua6rpur qlrm uorlellnsuo: alenbape ]noqlrm '966; 6uunp ]uau.turalog aq]
,iq padopanap VIN aq1 o] sluaupuaute xalduo: sla^ol oslp ueld ]utod 0 [ aql

;1!/1

+o

a)eM oql ur sarped ;1e ro1 ,ilurepar ro,t 6utptnotd s;esodotd +o ]as a^tsuaqatduo:
e qIM ]uaulula^og aql paprnotd a^pq sa^tleluasaldat snoua6tpu; 'suotlsanb 6ut
-puelslno a^losa] o1 sraurLu pue slsrlProlsed 'sluauu:ano6 qlrrvt q1tel poo6 ul a1e
-rlo6au o1 ssau6url;rnn lrall] pup ,itessarau 1r uorle;sr6a; ,iq 'paurtluor slstleroped
,to sarl^r]le aleuLrlr6a; aq] 6uraas o1 ]uauaar6e Jroq] palelrpul a^eq slsa.lalul
snouabrpul ,ienn ;errperd pue rej e ur pabeueu aq plnol a)ualsrxa-or Moq pup
'sarped al]t1 a^tlpu qlrnn uotletlo6au pa:tnbat slstletolsed ,(q panstnd salll^lpP
ureual raqiaqM papnl)ur asaql '(y117) DV all1 a^/leN aq] lo uorlerado aq] 1o
]xaluol aq] ur [1re1n:!ued'suol]sonb auos asreJ prp uorst)ap aq]'ssalaqua^aN
slsrlerolsed u-ror; nq6u ou,ienne )oo] uorsllap llA a\I
raploq
asea; lerolsed aq] ]o asoql o1 aleurpJoqns are s1q6u alltl a^tleu 's1q6u asoqi
)ro asr).raxa aq] ur lltlluo) st araq] aiaqM '7 ii o1 6urpror:e la^aMoH sasPal Iaq]
]o srl-r.ra1 aq] rapun slsr;erolsed o1 par.raluol stqOu qllm ]srxa-o) ue) allrl anrleu
]eq] a! 'alu] antleu qsrnOutya [;uessa:au ]ou saop aseal ;etolsed e ;o 1uet6 aqi
]eq] papr)ap pno] q615 a+'1!/1 ul asel 4!/1 aq ul]ino) q6tg aqt ]o uorsr)ap
aq] o] asuodser anr1e1sr6al pasodord tluauuranoD aq] saurllno ueld ]urod 0t aql

aueld tulod ual aql s!

leqi '!

2. Was native title widely assumed to be extinguished on

pastoral leases?
The Government continues to assert that, until lhe Wik decision, there was "a
widely held assumption" that native title was extinguished by the grant of a
pastoral lease. lt also claims that the Native Title Act 1993 was developed on
this assumption.
This assertion is used by the Government to justify the drastic proposals
contained in the 10 Point Plan.
The Government's assertion is wrong. lt represents a serious misreading of
recent history in respect of the Mabo decision and the subsequent development
of the NTA.
ln fact all stakeholders were aware after the Mabo decision that the question
of the survival of native title on pastoral leases had not been answered by the
High Court. Governments took the policy position that pastoral leases extinguished native title while knowing that the matter was still to be resolved in the
cou rts.

lndigenous interests made clear from the outset that they did not accept that
native title was necessarily extinguished in law by the grant of a pastoral lease.
As well, the Nafive Title Act 7993 did not attempt to resolve this matter
by statute. lt was agreed at the time that indigenous Australians would not be
prevented from attempting to establish therr native title rights on pastoral leases
at common law. In fact, relevant provisions of the NtR assume the possible
continued existence of native title on pastoral leases.
The Government knew of the possibility of the continued existence of native

title on pastoral leases on coming to office in March 1996 because:

. the Wik case itself had been continuing in the courts, notwithstanding
the passing of the NTA in 1993, and every lawyer in Australia knew
the question had not been resolved;
r the High Court inlhe Waanyis case in April 1996 refused to rule out an
application for native title over a pastoral lease, saying the issue of the
existence of native title on a pastoral lease was fairly arguable; and
. the Government's own discussion paper of May 19966 on its proposed
amendments to the NTA acknowledged that the High Coulc had not yet
ruled on the issue, and indicated the Government's desire to facilitate
certain acts on pastoral leases which were problematic because of
continuing uncertainty about native title and pastoral leases.
It does little credit to the Plan and its explanation to see continuing argument
that there was a widely shared assumption of extinguishment of native title on
pastoral leases.

North Ganalanja Aboriginal Corporation v Queensland (1996) 185 CLR 595

Towards a More Workable Native Tttle Act. An )utltne of Proposed Amendments May 1 996

The Ten Point Plan on

Wik and Native Title

lssues

for lndigenous Peoples

saldoed snouaorpul rol sanssl

al]!l a^lteN pue IrM uo ueld iulod

/66t

ua1

aql

9L 'olpeu )BV

'|i\d

^en

'(er;erlsny

+o qlnur rano slqOu

{uadord al}!} a^l}eu 1o luaulqsrn6utya fuo1n1e1s a;e:s a6te; o} s}unoue

pue uorsDap 1!/1 aqt puo,{aq ;lann sao6 ;esodord slq}) }slle.lo}sed aqt 1o
asoq] Lllrm lualsrsuolur are nqOu asoqi ]eql ]ualxa aq] o] saseal letolsed
.
rauro] ro ]uarnl rano qq6u allr] a^rlpu Eurqsrn6urlxa A;lueueulad
l(a;l1t enlteu 6utqstn6utya
,{;anrpe ro} }uaurnr}sut ;et1ualod e sr pue uotltsod Mel uou.Luo) aq}
puo{aq sao6 ;esodord srq}) ,,sarnua} antsnl)xa,, 766;-atd uo al}t} a^t}eu
1o luauqsrn6urlxa ]uaueurad urrluo: o1 ,[uoqlne aq] sa]e]S aq] 6utnt6 .
l(slaplor-{ al}!} an!}pu aq} lo} a1er1o6au ol tr.{6u {ue lnoqlnn 'ploqaat} o} lo
asea; ;enladrad e o1 6a) peperOdn aq uel aspal aq] ]eql os sasea; letoped
uo al]!] anrleu qsrn6urlxa pue arrnb:e Ilttos;nduuo: o] salels 6unno11e .
:6urpnpur sueau ]o raqunu e i{q satpadotd
lerolsed uo allt] a^tleu +o luaulqstn6ulya peatdsaptan to1 sapnotd ueld aqj
'sauolural puP salels eql ,{q a;t;t a^l}eu }o }uaiu
-qsrn6urya a^r]lalia )o oDe] ap ro, asrotl 6ur1;e1s aq] uoaq seq luaulqstn6utya
]a)uelq ro1 lesodord aq] ,{1r1eat u1 'sabpa;anou))e }uauula^o9 aq} se 'uot}do
alqer^ e uaaq ranau seq ]uauqsrn6urya 1a1ue;g 'alu!l sueau ueld aq] ut lttt;dxa
lerolsed uo ali!1 a^rleu lle 1o luauqstn6urlxa ]a)uelq ]ell] pe] aql

lou

[q

sr saspal

1']! ut ,,]uau-lqstn6utya 1o s;n1

-la)lnq,, 6urneq se ueld aq] paqulsap seq lall)st1 lt4'lalstutn auu6,i1nda6

aq1

'pueq lal{}o oqi uO 'al}t} ant}pu 1o saldr:uud aq} }tedsal o} surell }uauula^og
aql 'alll] a^lleu +o luauqstn6utya ]a)uelq lo autl-auo papafat seq ]uaulula^oD
all] 'pueq auo uO upld aq] 1o padse 6utsnluot ]sou.r aq] sdeqtad s! sltll

lerolsed uo

allll o^lleu qstn6ullxa

asaseal

ueld lulod oL aql saoo

1sa1 uorlerpl6ar raq6rq aql iaalu oqM slaploq al]ll a^tleu llp o] alqelte^e
6uraq 1ou sasodrnd teuotltper] ro+ saseal ;etoysed o] ssa)le fuolnlels
salllAl]lP

',

;erolsed o] uorlrurlap uorpnpord fueuud aqt 6ut,{ldde }o }la+}a oq} .

alerlo6eu ot tqbu aq] uo ]lnesse aql .
s.laploq al]!l a^lleu q}!M uo!]e!lo6au lnoqlrnt luatlqstn6ulya .
:apnl)ur aldoad snouabrpur o1 ueld all] ur ura)uo: :o[eu ]o sto$etN

euPld

aql qlrn oldoad snoua6lpu!lo suleruo) uleu aql are leqm '

5. What happens

to the Right to Negotiate?

is a central provision of the NTA. lt applies

government proposes to create, vary or e>ctend mining titles, or when it
propot.i to compulsorily acquire native title land for the purpose of conferring
interests on persons other than the government ("third parties")'
The Right to Negotiate was agreed with indigenous interests as part of the
negotiations for the NTA. These negotiations involved major concessions from
thJindigenous side including an agreement to validate all potentially invalid

The Right to Negotiate (see Glossary)

when

interests granted up to the commencement of the NTA.

fhe night to Negotiate reflects the special quality of the attachment that
indigenous people have to land. lt provides a mechanism for indigenous people
to have a meanrngful input into decisions about the development of their land
However, and most importantly, it does not constitute a right of veto. The Right
to Negotiate provides a limited period in which to negotrate an agreement over a
proposed development. lf agreement is not reached the proposal can go to

arbitration, which is subject to Ministerial override.

Under the 10 Point Plan, this basic native title right will be removed altogether
in respect of current or former pastoral leases, thus to a considerable degree
nullifying the Wk decision. Also, the Right to Negotiate will not apply within the
boundaries of towns or cities when native title rights are to be acquired by
government for third party developers. Outside towns and cities, it wrll not apply
if the acquisition relates to private development of "government-type infrastructure" and even, apparently, to mining project infrastructure.
It becomes difficult to identify parts of Australia where, under the proposed
arrangements, any native title holders will have any Right to Negotiate under the
NTA.

Where the Right to Negotiate still applies, it will be reduced in scope and
restricted in opeiation so as to result in considerable diminution of its utility in
protecting native title rights. The Right to Negotiate, a central provision of the
NTA, will be effectively reduced to a shadow of its original intent'

The Ten Point Plan on

Wik and Native Title

lssues

for lndigenous Peoples

seldoad snouaEtpul Jol sanssl

ellr.l" a^rleN pue )itM uo ueld turod ua1

'i!1uno:

leuorlrpel]

aql

laq] qltM uot])auuo)

rall] ureluteu o1 6urlaas aldoad snouaOrpur o] al]!] a^rleu,l.o autJ]lop aq]

,to a:ueyodLur aql +o uorleoatdde alpll q]lM sansst ssal)p saq:eotdde.ueld aq1

,r,,r^:l5lr;:::

seq uorleuriulalap e ;r1un 6urqlou ure6 ;1rnn ]ou op oLlM asoqi

]l a^pq llrM ssal)p aneq li11ualn) oqm asoq} 'snqj ssa)lp ;e:rsAqd aneq ,{1lualnt
,iaLll teql Moqs ue) 'uolltppe ut 'pue LUtel) Jraql loj ISa] uorletlsr6at ]ua6uuls e
parlsrles a^eq slueutelt aq] uaqM {ldde {1uo
s1q6u ssa)le qlns lanannog
11nn
'q)ns sp 1r sluasatd taded sta,usuV pue suo4sano
tluaululanog
aql pue auo)lno anrlrsod e a)rl ulaas IeLU s!q] '11 +o atp+ aql uO .slueutel)
alll a^rleu paralsr6ar ro1 s1q6u ssa)te ulualur to1 saprnotd ueld ]urod 0f aqj
1 o1 6urutnlal L.Ltol,t palua^
-ard pue puel raq] 1o passassodstp uaaq aneq aldoad snoua6rpul alaqm sase)
,(ueur are oJaql 'puel aql LlllM palellosse satlt^r])e lpuorlrpeti uo futet oi tapto ut
fu1unor lpuorlrpe.l] ltaql o] ssaltp st aldoad snouaOrpur o1 a:ueyodu.l letlua) lO

asraplorl

allrl o^lleu ol slq6lr ssa))e anr6 ue;6 lulod o! aql saoo

.a

's1q6u altrt aArlpu a^eq [11euruou ,ieLu Iaqt a]aqM puel

1o padsar ut sla)ooluo
uPq] alou al]]!l o] sJaploq alll] a^llPU alnpar llrM
uotsDap 4!/1 aq] +o pa+]a
aqt,!r11nu ure6e 11rnn srLlI 'sraplorl allt] a^tleu tro uorlsod aq] ]o uotlptaptsuo)
lPr.xrurrJJ ,i;uo qlrnn lo uolleJoptsuo) ]noqllM paMollp aq lllM 'saspal lplolsed rapun
pasuoqlne sr
puoriaq
6uro6 11;et1ue1od 'satlt^t]lp ,to a6uet aplM V
]eqM
;;ann
]ou plnoM q)ns se sarlr^rpe

]l

e ur s1q6u alltl a^tlpu ]o asl).taxa aq] ut aiallalut

;erolsed leulJou leq]
plno) sary^t]le Ll)nS ^pM
alnqnlpoq pue fu1sa:o1 '6urqsr1 'uotle^t]ln) se q)ns
sarlr^r])p sapnllur uol]lullap stql 'ueld ]ulod 0 [ aq] ]o padse ;el1ua) e s 961
lly,rualussassv xel awnq aq] ul puno+ ,, uorpnpotd fueulud,, ]o uotltutlap
aq] ulqllM lle+ q)rqM saseal leJolsed uo sarlrnr]:e {ue esuoqlne o1 lesodotd eq1

auo!l!ullep
,,uolpnpord fueurgrd,, aql 6ufldde;o pa#a aql s! teqln .9

Commentary on each

1. Validation

of the 1O Points in the Government's Plan ........

of acts/grants between

111194

and 23112196

Legislative action will be taken to ensure that the validity of a1y acts or
grints made in relation to non-vacant crown land in the period between
[assage of the Native Title Ad (NTA) and the Wrk decision is put beyond
doubt.
lndigenous representatives have made clear their agreement to the confirmation
of all pastoral acts conducted within the terms of existing pastoral leases.
Typically, this would cover raising livestock and incidental activities such as
establishing fences, yards, bores, mills and accommodation.
The validation of grants is a different question. These grants include many
exploration and mining tenements. All governments were on notice that the
question of native title on pastoral leases had not been resolved in the courts
and that the NTA provides processes (provisions for the Right to Negotiate and
for non-claimant applications) for making such grants with certainty Only
Western Australia extensively used these processes. ln States which chose not to
use the processes, native title holders were effectively denied the Right to
Negotiate, including over some large mining developments.
The Government's proposal for blanket validation of grants is inherently
unfair, offers little to natrve title holders whose rights have been side-stepped,
and rewards those states which have ignored or defied the provisions of the
NTA. Yet, the Commonwealth will provide 75 per cent of the compensation
costs to native title holders with the States to fund the other 25 per cent. ln the
circumstances, this is certainly a generous offer on the part of the Commonwealth.
There may also be problems for one-line validation in meeting Constitutional
requirements in respect of "just terms" compensation, when the people entitled
are in no position to know that their rights have been affected by the validation.

The Ten Point Plan on Wik and Native Title

lssues

for lndigenous Peoples

.o.aooooCor

saldoad snouaorpul Jol senssl

alIlI a^lleN pue )itM uo ueld ]ulod ual aql

slq6u allrl
a^rleu +o ]uauqsrnourlxa pa++a leq] s]le asoll] +o uolsualxa paullsnlun uP aq o]
sreadde lpsodord stqj utaql uo slq6u alll] a^tleu asDlaxa o1 alqlssod lllls sl ]l pue
sarn]lnrls Iq paranor ]ou are salnol )lols 'upld ]utod g; ;eurOtto aq1 ut teadde
lou saop al]r] a^tlpu 6utqstn6utya se s)loM tt;qnd qttnn papnl)ut aq plnoM salnol
]P uorsr^ord nnau aq1

))ols ]eq] paupldxl ueld lulod 0t

aLU :4!Nl +o S Z

a6esn lern11nru6e o1
sra+ar qlrqM aseal ,{ue uo luauqstn6ur}xa }a)uelq luaualdutt o} sa}e}s lo} a)ualll
p o] lunoure plno) srq] 'paproM sr uorle;sr6a; leuq aq] Moq uo 6utpuada6 puel
letny;nru6e {1nri1ou sr puelaq} qOnoql uana sasodtnd letn1;ntu6e apnllutosle
saseal lerolsed auos 'papualur seM uotssossod antsn;:xa alellput ,ieu 6utddotl
a^rsualur arual-oi-alua+ allqM 'ura)uol teln:tyed e a.le sasealJetnl;n:tt6y
'uor6ar IalraqLur;1 aqt ur ,{qraq
]o quou eare 6ururer] Aelr;lur luelel a6te1 e ]o qllpaMUou-lLltol aq] o] luau
-u.ra^og
aLll ,iq
aq] pue suorletodlol 6urploq al]l] o] slted ;euotleu
tuer6
vM
page {;;eutou }ou pnoM puel
1o s1uer6 aql apnllut salduexl al]t] anllpu
aq] +o asn aq1 q6noqt uana lesodotd stq] lapun al]t1 a^rleu qstnOutya lltM sluaul
-utano6 iaqlo o] ro saoua6e
laqlo o] s1uet6 unaotS 'ri1,te1tu.tt5
]uauutano6
'puel uMor) ]uP)e^ ,il1uarn:
1o padsal
aq} a^eq ue:'paqsrnbutlal uaaq 6uolaneq
urslqbu alyl a^rlpu 6ul{uap
}la}+a
}o
{eu LllLlM }o auos 's}uel6 puel alqel^-uou

q)rqM ro dn

ua>1e1

uaaq ra^au aneq

to anrleln:ads q:n5 '(pasa6 uosdur5 aql +o uot])as puelsuaan| aq1 1o padsat

ur slsrxa uorlenlrs relrurs e) uasaC uosdu.tt5 aqt,o sued lano ]uaululanoD uel
-lellsnv qlnos aq],{q paluet6 a.]aM saseal lelolsed s088 [ aq] ut ',a;dulexa lo3
suorlenlts pnfun ,i11sa1tueui ut ]lnsal ue)
q:eordde srql Mpl uoruurol aq] ut pa^losat {;antsnl:uol uaaq }ou seq .lauerl.l
srq] sreadde qOnoqt uana - asdel to attdxa salnual uaqM alll] a^lleu ]o le^l^aJ
1r
tuloa 6a)sareld.taq}o ut pue aJaq 'ueld }urod 0[ aq]'llaM sV

,{ue sapng:ard

'(l

'uorssassod aAtsnllxa

sad{1 aq} uo sa}e}S aLl} }o smat^ aq} o}

6uuteluo: se pa.taprsuo) aq oi saseal
1o
paqstnOutya aq lllM
tayep lilnpun ,{euL qlleannuouuro) aq} }eq} u.raluol }o st
ol]r] a^rleu q)tqM..lo^o palllluapl aq lllM ,,sea]P a^rsualxa,, ]eq] sale)lpul 'salels
papl^ord aq ot uotlpu-l.lolul uo paseq paJa^o) aq ol saseal 1o sad,Q aql

}l

aql

^q
qlrm sleap q)rqM 'paulp/dx1 uep lulod OL aqt:>tlA ]o E'Z ]ulod
1o 6ur;npaq:s
slqOu a;tr1 a^tleu Mel uotl.ttlto) 6utlstxa
,{1}uarnr ;o luauqsrn6utya antle;sl6al e }la#a ,ieLu pasodold uotleult,tuol
aq] ']se) sr ]au aq] aplM Moq uo 6utpuadap 'leq] uJa)uol sr alaq] 'al111 a^rleu
qsrn6urixa saseal lerluaprsa.r pue s1uer6 p;oqaat,t alenud teqt palda:re sl l! ]sllqM

'papnlrur aq osle plnom uolssassod o^lsnPxa 6u;lla;uor asea;

terolsed raurol ro luarrn) r(uy 'papuatu! uaaq aAPq lsnu uolssassod a^ls
-nl)xa 'puel aql lo asn polllruad aql lo alnleu arll ro luer6 aql lo uoseal
(q te$ pres aq r{;qeuosear ue) }t }eq} luelxa aq} o} pelo^o) aq osle
plnom saspal lernllnrlr6v 'allll a^llpu qstn6ullxa 166! fuenuef I alolaq Io
uo a)ualstxa u! slro,r rlqnd pue lellrauuo) 'lelluaplsar 'ploqaarl se q)ns
salnual ,,o^lsnl)xa,, leql ullluo, ol alqP aq plnor'^ saUolural pue salels

uo

soJnuol ,,eA!snlrxa,,

allll a^lleu lo lualrlqslnEullxa lo uollPulrlluo) 'z

ueld s,luawu.)aAog aql u! slutod Ol aql

]o

tl)ea uo

lteluawwo)

aaaaaaaa

a......a

Uel

Commentary on each

of the 10 Points in the Government's P|an........

3. Provision of Services
lmpediments to the provision of government seruices in relation to land
on which native title may exist would be removed.
This proposal is obscure. lt seems to mean that native title holders will not be
treated the same as ordinary title holders, and will not be able to exercise the
procedural rights of ordinary title holders in respect of the provision of municipal
services by governments and local governments, short of those requiring compulsory acquisition of native title. The proposal is aimed particularly at rural and

remote areas.
Depending on the definition provided for such activities, there is the potential
for significant diminution of native title rights. Local councils may be able to
largely ignore native title holders, leaving indigenous people as onlookers in the
management and control of native title land.
Current provisions in the NTA are adequate to deal with these matters, and
local authorities should be encouraged to negotiate Co-operative arrangements

with natrve title holders,

as already occurs in some areas.

4. Native title and pastoral Ieases

As provided in the lTrk decision, native title rights over curent or former
pastoral leases and any agricultural leases not covered under 2 above
ivould be permanently extinguished to the extent that those rights are

inconsistent with those of the pastoralist.

All activities pursuant to, or incidental to, "primary production" (this will
be based on ihe definition in the Incom e Tax Assessment Act 1934 would
be allowed on pastoral leases including farmstay tourism, even if native
title exists, provided the dominant purpose of the use of the land is
primary production. However, future government action such as upgrad'
ing of iitie to perpetual or "exclusive" leases or freehold, would necessi'
taie the acquisition of any native title rights proven to exist and the
apptication of the regime described in 7 below (except where this is
unnecessary because the pastoralist has an existing legally enforceable
right to upgrade).
Pastoral leases generally limit the rights of pastoralists to grazing and incidental
purposes. The definition of primary production based on the /ncorne Tax Assessment Act 1936 is much wider including agriculture, horticulture, fishing and
forest operations. Lifting the NTA future act processesl from all prrmary production as proposed will provide for States to authorise much more intensive use of

pastoral land than may be the current situation

without negotiation with

native title holders.

This is unfair to native title holders who may lose any opportunity for enjoying
their residual native title rrghts because of development of intensive agriculture,
tourism ventures, etc, on native title land.

'

5ee G/ossa,y

The Ten Point Plan on

Wik and Native Title

lssues

for lndigenous Peoples

o..aooro

Con

saldoad snoueotpul rol sanssl

alill a^lleN pue ltM uo ueld ]utod ual aql

8d'6t' g I seEd

saldoad \t/1/ aql u uotsDao ynq q6!H aql ]o sua\oldwtleoal luauluedac

^
[autouvaas
166[rtenue1gTuopaqsrlqnda:rnpele6al umot]uauu.ta^o9aq]paliar]t

pu?Fuaano

's.ra)JoM

s,lPJaua9
saop

roN

;eut6uoqy

ol sa6em lenba ane6 Lllrr.{M asel (tto1pta1 uraqttoN) fuynpulalllp:) 896 [ aq]
'saull] lualal /ilentlelaJ ul palln))o
+o a)eM ar.ll ut 's0/ puP s096; aqt 6utpn1:ul
uauo seq ,tluno: o] ssa))P +o ssol slql ,!]uno: leuorilpPl] llaLl] o] ssal)P
6urneq uror,L pa6erno:stp {lantpe to paluanald uaaq a^ell aldoad leut6ttoqy

,iue4

1sn[un sr 'pasodord se 'pupl aq] o] ssatle ;e:rs{qd }ualJn) uo luapuadap

allt1 antleu patalst6at rol s1q6u ssa::e fuolnlels tutlalut a)eul 01

slueurell

'uorlelst6al

rtrolrrag ro atels Aq paqs;;qe1sa qq6rr ssa))e Eulpqxa pa#e lou plnom

srql 'paururalap s! urel) allll a^lleu aql lllun paurlluo) A;anr1e;st6a;
aq ll!n ssarre panulluor Ilaql'puPl aseal lerolsed ol ssor)e le)ls,(qd
leql aler}suouap uer slueulell pala}s!6al alaqfll
aneq ,{lluarrnr r(arl}

slq6lr ssa))e fuolnlels

'S

salPls aq] pue qlleaMuoLxLrJoJ

aql uaa^ ]aq ]rlds luar nd g71g1e uo ute6e 'astnd >r;qnd aq] uol+ paptnold
aq o] are slsaralut alit] antlpu aql 6urlesuaduo) ]o slso) aq] 'apet6dn ue lo1
,,uorlnquluo) ler)ueuU radord p,, Ied o1 pattnbat aq lllM uotltstnb:e ue qlns ,Lo
fuenrlauaq ro aassal ,iue p1rq7y1 ]uaun)op uorleue;dx3 aq] +o O o11 sqdetOeled
1e paqu)sap aJe allt] antleu 6utqsln6utya to1 sluauaOuette uotlesuaduo: aql
'/ ]ulod .rapun passn)srp se '(slsrletoped) dnot6 taqloue
ol (sraploq al]t1 a^rleu) suaztlt) 1o dnot6 auo +o slqbtt ,{uado.td aq11o la}suel}
,!oslnduo: aq] Jo+ Mollp lpM qrtqnt qesodotd ,loleutuulstp stq] st 11 '(molaq
1 ]ulod osle aas) lualenrnba lo ploqaal+ ot 6urpe.r6dn Molle o] saseal ;elolsed
uo s1q6u Jraq] +o uorystnbre ,!oslndLuo: qllm pa)ej satped al]t] a^lleu Joj
aLl} io le^ouat aq} sasseduotua osle , }ulod Iliueuodrul
a1er1o6aq o]
]r..{6lU
',{}rnr}:e
;erolsed q}uvr ,ienn au.tos ut pa)utl sl eale aq} ,tt pastutoldr-uol
aq ure6e lpm pupl uMoJ) ]uele^ uo slq6u al]t] a^tleu 1o uorpalold ta6uolls
aq] supau srql aspal aq] uo sarlr^rpe uotl:npotd ,!euttd aq] ol leluapllul
sar]rnrpe ,,aseal-llo,, ol pualxa lllM slstle,rolsed o1 paprnotd aq o1 uotpalold
sl ( ,)]uauln)op uotleueldx3 aq] ur pauleluo: lesodold Mau V
aq] lpq]

prlpilsnV ]o pa.lp a6re; e rano slqOu ,{uadotd al}t} a^t}PU

;o iuauqsrn6urlxa fuolnlels a;ets-a6te1 e to1 aprnotd s;esodotd asaql ,1snI

aqI
-un pup fuessatauun sr Aenn stq] ur ale1st6a; o1 uollualul
tluaulula^oD
'saseal
lerolsed reurol o1
alelal lou soop )r pue lpaqsrn6urya f;luaueutad ate {aL]l teqt ,ies }ou saop }l
l(;renatd plnoM ]srlprolsed aq] 1o s1q6u aql ,itualstsuo)ut +o asP) aql ur 1eq} s,{es
[;atau.r 1r) paqsrnEu!]xa ale slq6u a1t1] ant]eu ]eq] ,ies 1ou saop uotst)ap )/A/
s1q6u 1o le^t^ar aq] 1o uotlsanb aqt uado Ual peq MPI uouLllol aq] aiallM
allr] a^rleu 6urqsrn6urya ur uorsr)ap llAA aq puo,iaq sao6 pue salelssll.ll slql
'(furdxa lo lapuarJns liq raqtaqrrt) aseal aq] jo pua aql
le a^r^ar ue) allt] a^tleu ]eq] ,illrqrssod /iue 1no 6ut1nl 'luaueLulad aq lllM }uauJ
-qsrn6urya q)ns 'allrl antleu 6utqsln6utya ;o pa++a aq] a^eq uolllullap papuedxa
stq] iapun slsrlerolsed aq] ]o satU^t]le ataqM leqt sasodotd ]uaulula^oD aql

aql

ueld s,luaauJa^og arll u! slutod

0t

aql

]o

tl)ea uo

lteluawwo) .. o.....

.a....4a

UPl,

Commentary on each

of the 10 Points in the Government's Plan ..o.....

The aftermath of the payment of award wages was the widespread dispossession of Aboriginal communities living on pastoral leases.
The Government's proposal means that those who currently have access will
have that situation confirmed. However, those who have strong traditional
affiliations but have been denied access may not obtain the access they seek
even when they have passed the stringent registration test for their claim.
The requirement for current physical access is illogical, unfair, and rewards
those pastoralists who have obstructed lawful access to traditional country.
lndeed it may encourage pastoralists to deny access prior to the commencement
of the amendments.

6. Future mining activity

For mining on vacant crown land there would be a higher registration test

for claimants seeking the right to negotiate, no negotiations on explora'

tion, and only one right to negotiate per project. As currently provided in
the NTA, states and territories would be able to put in place alternative
regimes with similar right to negotiate provisions.
For mining on other "non-exclusive" tenures such as

curent or former

pastorat leasehold land and national parks, the right to negotiate would
continue to apply in a state or territory unless and until that state or
territory provided a statutory regime acceptable to the Commonwealth
which included procedural rights at least equivalent to other parties with
an interest in the land (eg the holder of the pastoral lease) and compensation which can take account of the nature of co'existing native title
rights (where they are proven to exist).
In relation to mining activity on vacant Crown land, the 10 Point Plan is essentially stating that the GovernmentS previously proposed amendments to the
Right to Negotiate will go ahead. These amendments impact on most parts of
the operation of the Right to Negotiate provisions. They will, among other
changes, make it harder for native title holders to access the Right to Negotiate
(through a more stringent registration test), allow only one Right to Negotiate for
projects (either through exclusion of exploration or through a conjunctive
agreement covering both exploration and mining), and make it easier for
governments to avoid or override negotiations (eg through increased opportunity
for ministerial intervention).
The extingurshment proposals under Point 2 in respect of "exclusive tenures"
will cut out the Right to Negotiate processes altogether for affected areas.
These changes will significantly reduce the rights of indigenous people to
have some say about activity on their land and 9o well beyond the requirements
of workability. The Right to Negotiate reflects the special quality of the attachment that indigenous people have to land. lt reflects indigenous law and custom
and can be seen as an incident of native title. lt is not possible for the Government to significantly reduce the operation of the Right to Negotiate and at the
same time claim to be respecting the principles of native title.

The Ten Point Plan on

Wik and Native Title

lssues

for lndigenous

Peoples

....

oooo

Con

saldood snoua6rpul .rol sanssl

uo la^er6

alltl a^tleN pue )tM uo ueld lulod ual aql

lo raqull lo Eutlpl aql

'papl^ord aq plno,ur saseat telolsed

sa!l!^!tle asuoqlne ol au!6al v

sp q)ns

'par'^ollP aq plno|l^ a^lasal

lsarol ro lrpd lpuollpu Eugpqxa fiue;o luaua6eueu aql Iol suo!]re atnuJ
'sraplorl
-puet rarllo se s1q6r.r uoglesuaduol pup ;ernparord aues arll ute6 p;norn
sraplorl allrl anrleu q6noqle'sa!l!) pup sun ol ut saryed plrtll rol pupl
;o uorlrsrnbrp aql ol uollelar u! po^ourar aq plnorn a1eglo6au ol lrlOtt aql

'(lstxa o1 uanord are Iaql araqm) s1q6u a;1r1a^ltpu Eugpgxa-or

lo luno))e a{e} uer q)!qrn uoglesueduo) pue (aspal lero}sed aq1 }o raploq
aq1 6a) puel aql ur Faratu! ue rll!/t sagyed raqlo ol lua;engnba lsea;
1e s1q6rr

;ernparord papnlrut q)lqrn qlleamuouluo) aql o1 a;qeldarre

arug6ar fuo1n1e1s e paplnord

fuolrra1ro alels leqt ltlun pue ssa;un fuo1

-lrral ro alels p ur rt;dde ol anulluo) plnoM e1e11o6au o1 1q6rr aq1 's1red

lpuolleu pue puel ploqaspat ;erolsed raulol Io luarrm sp qrns sarnual
zalrsnlrxa-uou,, raqlo uo s1q61r allll allleu ;o uoglgsgnbre ftos;nduor ro1

'suogslnord a1eg1o6au o1 lq6rr lplltu!s qlgan saurl6ar a^lleurallp are;d ug

pd ol alqe aq plnoa salrol!ilal pue salels VIN aql ur paprnord ,figuarrnr
sV 'arnpnrlser;ur adrtl-luatuuranoE ;o asod,rnd aql rol salyed plttll lol
s1q6rr a;1r1 a^lleu ;o uorltsrnbrp aqt ol uollelil u! panouar aq plnom ale
-glo6au ol tq6u aql lnq 'a1e11o6au og lq6rr aql ssar)e ol lsal uoglelpgEar
raq6rq e aq plnom araql sallr) pue su^ ol aplsuo puel un on lue)p^ u0

guaurdo;alop le!)raututo, pue luauulano6 alnlnJ 'z

's;edo pue p1o6

;etnn11e

'u11 6uraq uanr6 sa;duexa aq]',,lelt]:etdu-tt,, st a1elloOau o1 1q6tt aLll q)tqM

ro1 suorlerado 6ururur ro] txstueqrauL e ;o luauldola^ap pasodotd aq] st ,iutlntls
arrnbar lpM r.{rqM (E 9 ered }e) luauLn:op uotleue;dx3 aq} ul uo!slnotd nnau y
'a;doed snoua

-6rpur ro1 uorsr)ap 4!/1A aL$ +o sauollno lpo4auaq eql 6ur,!r1;nu sptennol ,{enn
6uo; e saob saseal lerolsed 1o padsar ut a1et1o6a5 o] ]qOlU aq] +o lenoual aql
'sjaplot] al]!] a^lleu aq] ale ,{aqt q:tqnn Jo} puPl
aq] uo s;esodord luaudolanap 6ututul lnoqe a1et1o6au o] {}tunuoddo aq1 patuap
aq lllnn (pue1 unnor: lup)p^ Mou st puel aq] alaqm pue pauopueqP uaaq a^Pq

qlrqM saseal ;erolsed lauro] uana ro) sasPal lelolsed uo st puel asoqM s.laploq
allr] a^rlpu ]eq] sueau ]l 'sraploq al]!] a^rleu 1o slq6u aq] o1 ]uaurrlap ]uel
-rlru6rs ]o sr pup \!A ol asuodsar EluauulanoD aqt 1o 1:adse tofeu e st stql
'(asea1

letolsed
aq] +o raploq aq] s! pap!^old alduexa aqt) puel aq] ur ]satalut ue Lllrm salued
raqlo se s1q6u ;ernpa:otd aules aq1,i1a.raLu staploq al]!] a^lleu tol 6utptnotd
solels aq] ol palqns 'alergobap o] ]q6lu aq] a]eurulla o] sasodotd ueld ]ulod 0L
aqt 'are;d sa>1e1 ,{ltntpe 6ututt-tt 1o uotpodotd let}ue}sqns e }le+ ut alaqM 'saseal
lerolsed JauJol Jo ]ualrn) se qtns 'sainua] ,,antsnl)xa-uou,, o] uotlelat ul

ueld s,luawu)aAog aql u! slutod

0t aql ]o

q)ea uo t{teluawwo)

........

....a.oa

UOl,

Commentary on each

of the 10 Points in the Government's Plan ........

Under the current NTA any compulsory acquisition of native title rights for the
benefit of a third party must go through the Right to Negotiate procedure.
The 10 Point Plan takes away this right where:
the third party is providing government-type infrastructure (ie private

.
.

development of public infrastructure); or

the land is within the boundary of a town or city; or
the native title rights which are being acquired are on a "non-exclusive"
tenure such as a pastoral lease (eg to allow for an upgrade of a pastoral
lease).

These proposals represent a significant loss of rights for native title holders.
ln respect of privately developed infrastructure, this proposal raises
problems of definition between "government-type" infrastructure (para7.2 of
Explanation document) and what is clearly for private purposes. lt is understood
that since the Explanation document was released, this exemption from the
Right to Negotiate has been widened-out to cover dedicated infrastructure
associated with mining projects, ie private purpose infrastructure.
ln respect of towns and cities the proposal means that native title rights will
yield to others, such as subdivision developers, with only the limited procedural

rights of other landholders.

The acquisition of native title rights for the benefit of third parties on
pastoral leases, without the Right to Negotiate applying, is no ordinary type of
compulsory acquisition of property. The taxpayer will fund the compulsory
acquisition of the property rights of one group of private citrzens (native title
holders), in order to enhance the rights of another group of private citizens
(pastoralists).

Most Governments in Australia limit their compulsory acquisitton powers to

land needed for public purposes. This proposal will give legitimacy to a government taking from one citizen to give to another. lt is fundamentally unfair and
discriminatory. The provision of compensation, required by the Constitution,
does not justify this expropriation of rights.
The Prime Minister has also announced that for such future acts of compulsory acquisition by the States the Commonwealth will contribute to the compensation required on a 75 per cent to 25 per cent split. This arrangement, new to
Commonwealth/State arrangements in respect of future acts affecting native
title. will expose the Commonwealth to a potentially very large financial burden.
ln respect of national parks, forest reserves, and the taking of timber
and gravel on pastoral leases, it appears that any native title rights are largely
to be set aside, and that there will be little or no input from native title holders
on the management of such resources, even though native title rights may exist
at law.

The Ten Point PIan on

Wik and Native Title

lssues

for lndigenous Peoples

...ooooo

Coll

saldoad snouaErpul ro} sanssl

allrl a^rlPN pue )rM uo ueld ]ulod ual

aq.t

aur] ]o porJad e qtns .toj papt^oid st uotle)Utisnf o5 nnau sl ]uaun)op

uorleue;dx3 aq] ]o ,'6 ered ]e sluaupuaue aq] +o ]ualxa)uaululo) aql +o alep
e
uotletado aq] .toj pouad tea,i xts e jo uotldo aq1
all] LUor] asnel)
]asuns
1o
sul|ell +o qsnJ P o] peal lllM
+o

allt] a^rleu +o alnleU aq]

]l ]eqi ul anrpnpord-ralunol aq lltM asnell ]asuns
luno))e a)e] o] pau6rsap are sassa:otd asaql VlN aq] jo sassalotd aql tloll
s]aploq al]l] a^lleu apnllxa ui;rtellrqle lllM asnel) ]asuns e lol ;esodold aq1
'uot1e:tPn[Pe

leLulo+ o] urel: rirana 6ur:ro1 ueq] raqlP.] 'slueuaaloe alerlooau o1 ssau6ull;tnn

raleer6 e paMoqs salels aq] +t papto^e aq plnol su-re1: 6utlpueq ut s,ie;a6
al]r] a^tleu o1 q:eotdde leuotleu ]uelsrsuot e 1o luau:dola^ap aq] pue

's..raupur

s.raplor.l allr] a^rlPu o] qloq ]uatul]lap aq] o] aq plnoM slql uolleululla lenlua^a
ro1 pa1a6re1 aq ,{eu.r lpunqr{ al}lj a^lieN Ieuor}eN aq} }eq} sreadde 11 letyedul
ssarord sulel) aql ]eq1 aluapt+uo) utelal o] a.rP staploq al]!] a^lleu ll sluP
sr

-LUtell alll] a^tleu o] alqplre^e ureurar ]snul lPUnql{

al}|I a^l}eN leuol}eN aql

's1q6u a;1ri anrleu

jo asr).laxa {ue o} sa}e}S atuos ,iq pa}tqtqxa ustuot}lnl}sqo pue ,{1t1t1soq aq}
uanrb 'ura:uor roleur ,to arp sultell alpueq o1 salels aqI abetno:ua o] salnsealA
,iur}nr:s aso;: arrnbar llrM sutel) 1o luaula6eueul aq} 6utula:uol slesodol6

'pa)nporlu! aq
plnoM apeu aq ol aAeq plnon sulel) n au ql!qr',t ultlllrn asnel) lasuns V

'sualsrts uil,ro rlaql ulqllm su!el) aEeueu

ol salels aql aoerno)ua ol salnseau pue'sulel, lo oullpueq dn paads
ol sluaupuaue 'alellooau ol lq6lr aql ssa)re ol lsal uollPrlsl6al taq6;q
e aq plnom alaql'su!e!) allll a^lleu Eupplxa pue n au ol uollelal ut

surlpt) lo luauraEeueyll '5

'sraueul
q)ns qlrm leap Ll)tqM VtN alll 1o suotstnotd ]ua.ttn) uanr6 papaau ate suotstnold
qrns ,iqnt pue 'saurr6at ]uaua6eueu fuo1e1n6al qlns .lapun slaqlo 1o nq6tl
aql pue 'a:edstre pue sa).lnosal aloqs-llo talenn ;o ]uaua6eueu pue uorle;n6at
aql 6urpre6ar s;esodotd s,]uauula^oD aq1,iq papualul sl leqM leol)un s! 1l

'lqnop puor(aq
lnd aq plnoil au!6ar luaua6eueu Io fuolelnEar q)ns ,(ue rapun slsalalu!
pue sa)Inosal aroqs-#o 'Iale/h o)Pl
ol sluauu.la^oolo A1;lqe aq1

qlri asoql;o s1q6lr aql pue 'a)edille

-rnsqns pue a)P|Jns aoeuPu pue alelnoar

a)edsrle pue sa)rnosor Joleru\ +o luaura6eue6l '3

ueld s,luawuJa^og aLll u! Slutod Ot aLll

]o q)ea uo {teluawwo) ........

a.......

Uel,

Commentary on each of the 10 Points

inthe Government's Plan ........

10. Agreements
Measures would be introduced to facilitate the negotiation of voluntary
but binding agreements as an alternative to more formal native title

machinery.
Agreements provide a potentially useful mechanism for dealing with development and native title. However, the other proposals of the t 0 Point Plan may
reduce their utility. There may be little incentive for governments and others to
negotiate agreements if there is to be such an extinguishment of native title and,
where it survives, such a dismantling of the Right to Negotiate.

Reference
For details of the indigenous position in respect

of the Government's response

to Wik and native title matters see Coexrstence

- Negotiation and Certainty:
lndigenous Position in Response to the Wik Decision and the Government's
Proposed Amendments to the Native Title Act 7993 National lndigenous
Wcrking Group, April 1997.
For copies please contact Kylie Higgins, ATSIC Wik Team, on 06 289 3348.

The Ten Point Plan on

Wik and Native Title

lssues

for lndigenous Peoples

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pallltua ate taploq alll} a^tleu leql st aul6al ]le alnlnj aql ]o padse iaqlouv
'slqbu allli a^lieu aql allnble
.

^luoslndulol
aql utelqo
lo ls.rapl0q allll a^!leu aql jo luaujaaj6P
leare leq] r0] sjapl0q alI] a^rlpu 0u

asn .

are alaqi ]l ]uaurdola^ap e ,,Jeal),, oi arnpalord ]ueutelt-uou aql

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ql$ plol{ea4 uo plrnq ,{1uo r(11ensn uer sluauularoo 6a)

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lpunqr.u luapuadaput

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,(11er}ua1od

asoql ]lnsuol o] luauLutarto6 uo uorle6rlqo luor]:e luauutaroO

pasodord 1o ,lrtou ol uorle6rlqo :apnpur stq6u ;ernparotd 1o saldrLLex3

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pue pasn ]0u alaM slaploq ellll a^llPu qll/vl leap 0] VIN eql.lapun sassa:old

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asn aqi ,{q

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1o luaurqstn6urya aqt '6ur1eads ,{11elaua9

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louuer satlred a.raqM olaA e lou sr aletloOau

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o1 1q6u

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e ro1 'aletlo6au

o] ]qbu e a^eq IlrM slueurel) pup eaploq allll a^rlpu paralsrbaL rfued prrqt e ot
1uer6 e 6u11eu 1o asodrnd aql i01 altll a^rlpu ]o uorlsrnbte fuoslnduot aqi pue
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raq] 0l a^eq aldoad snoua6rpur leq] ]uauqlelle 1er:ads aq] 1o uorlru6otat u;

a1e;1o6ep

ol lr{6!U

suual auos lo uolleueldxS

........

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