Campaign defending native title grows
By Jennifer Thompson
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission has rejected the government's native title bill, introduced to parliament on September 4, calling it unfair and divisive. The bill has spurred a growing campaign in defence of native title, including public activities and a Senate motion against extinguishment.
ATSIC chairperson Gatjil Djerrkura said he was disappointed that the government had ignored requests to retain the right for native title holders to negotiate on changes to pastoral leases, provide a fair and practical access system for Aboriginal traditional land owners and remove provisions extinguishing native title.
"The clear messages coming from the reconciliation process, from the Mabo and Wik decisions, and from many in industry is that the way forward in Australia rests on recognition of indigenous rights, on coexistence and on negotiating agreements."
Calling on the government to accept the coexistence principle embodied in last year's Wik decision, he slammed the government for refusing to budge from the 10-point plan for Aborigines but introducing late changes to the bill for other parties.
Two days earlier, the Senate passed WA Greens Senator Dee Margetts' motion calling on the government to "restore native title to Aboriginal people in the spirit of the Mabo and Wik decisions and not move down the path of legislative extinguishment".
"The bill does not have the backing of Aboriginal people and people who care about the economic and cultural survival of indigenous people. It has long been recognised that land underpins the survival of Aboriginal culture and language, as well as any hope for economic and social justice for Aboriginal people", Margetts said.
She called on the ALP to stand by its vote on her motion and vote down the bill when it reaches the Senate in November.
One of the many groups supporting native title was launched in Brisbane on August 31. Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (Qld), a support group for the National Indigenous Working Group, was launched by a range of "prominent" indigenous and non-indigenous speakers and entertainers.
An exciting number of native title support activities have been planned around the country for the next few weeks, including the September 21 national day of action to defend native title and the Wik decision. For more information about these activities in your city, see pages 22-23.