Submission on the Environment Protection Reforms: Shaping the next phase of environmental reforms Tranche 3 Consultation Papers.

This joint submission from The Mabo Centre and NNTC concentrates on three matters that arise from the four Tranche 3 consultation papers:

1.    A general response to the papers.

2.    Issues arising from the (absence of) the First Nations Engagement Standard.

3.    Specific matters arising from the Compensation Options proposal.

The reform of the Commonwealth environmental protection environment provides an opportunity for holistic change to the way Traditional Owner rights, decision making and knowledge, are respected. If the recommendations made in this submission are implemented, the hitherto unregarded rights of Traditional Owners can be exercised to bring the land we all live in back to health.