At its latest General Meeting, the National Native Title Council (NNTC) activated its new Constitution to allow native title corporations to become members of the Company. Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs) – corporations established to manage native title rights and interests after a positive determination of native title, and Traditional Owner Corporations (TOCs) – corporations established to carry out economic activities on Indigenous held land, can now be members of the NNTC.

NNTC’s Chairman, Nolan Hunter said that the new structure of the organisation will make the NNTC the peak body for the Indigenous Native Title Sector in Australia.

“The NNTC will be a strong representative voice for native title organisations across the native title system.

“Since its inception, the NNTC has been a representative organisation for native title representative bodies with a focus on the claim process, but with the growing number of PBCs and TOCs, we felt it was time to adapt to the expanding needs of the native title sector.

“The native title system is impacted by a broad range of issues, from the legal process to prove your connection to country, to establishing businesses for activities on Indigenous held land,” said Mr Hunter.

“So, it is very important that the NNTC provides a platform that represents that diversity of voices.

“It is also important for the NNTC to be responsive to the needs of all native title corporations and we would welcome new members to join the organisation.”

The new members of the NNTC are:

• Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee RNTBC (Qld);
• Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council Torres Strait Islander Corporation RNTBC (Qld); and
• Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (Vic)

The Mungarlu Ngurrankatja Rirraunkuja (Aboriginal Corporation) RNTBC from the Central Desert region in WA has also expressed an interest in joining.

“I encourage PBCs, TOCs and other native title organisations to contact the NNTC to discuss the benefits of membership,” said Mr Hunter.

The NNTC is the peak body for the Indigenous native title sector.