Landmark ruling: native title holders must be heard on water decisions
The National Native Title Council (NNTC) today told a Federal Parliamentary inquiry that Traditional Owners must have a genuine share in decision-making, ownership and the long-term benefits of the critical minerals transition.
The NNTC appeared alongside the Mabo Centre before the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries’ Inquiry into social licence and economic development outcomes in critical minerals projects across Australia. Speaking at the hearing, NNTC CEO Jamie Lowe said Australia must not repeat the mistakes of past resources booms.
Sixty per cent of critical minerals projects in Australia’s pipeline are on native title land. Traditional Owners are central to the success of the sector
Jamie Lowe, CEO of the National Native Title Council
“Early agreement-making with Traditional Owners supports faster approvals, results in greater project certainty and more local jobs. Critical minerals projects provide the opportunity to achieve lasting economic partnerships between Traditional Owners, governments and proponents.
“Australia is in the box seat to build critical minerals prosperity. We are one of the most attractive countries in the world for critical minerals investment.
“It is time to stop repeating the mistakes of the past. In previous mining booms, Traditional Owners have been excluded from economic opportunities and watched wealth extracted from their land at scale.
“Native title is a property right. When projects happen on Traditional Owners’ land, rights holders must share in the wealth those projects generate.
“Hundreds of Traditional Owners across the country are still owed compensation under native title laws. Billions of dollars of that compensation currently sit as a liability on state and territory government and proponent books, because good agreements were not put in place from the outset.
“Critical minerals are central to the clean energy transition, here and globally. Commonwealth funding should only go to projects that can demonstrate Free Prior and Informed Consent and Traditional Owner benefit-sharing through an Indigenous Land Use Agreement.
“Traditional Owners are ready to be partners in this industry. What’s needed are policy settings that foster strong agreement-making. Governments and proponents need to demonstrate genuine Traditional Owner consent and benefit-sharing,” said Jamie Lowe.
