Kado Muir
Chair
Kado Muir is a cultural leader, entrepreneur, artist, anthropologist, and Indigenous rights activist from the Ngalia dialect family of the Mantjiltjara language group in Western Australia.
About us
Representing and advocating for Traditional Owner rights and heritage
Photo credit: Benjamin Warlngundu Ellis
Through the native title system, we advocate for the rights and interests of First Nations peoples, and the organisations that represent them.
The NNTC leads a membership base of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the organisations that represent them, and works closely with Traditional Owners, government and industry partners to support and strengthen native title rights through changes to law, policy and best practice. We understand the deep complexities of native title, shaped by a history in which Australia’s laws and policies excluded First Nations people from their lands and decision-making.
While the native title system has returned some rights and country to First Nations people, much more needs to be done to achieve genuine equity and recognition. The NNTC is the secretariat for the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance and Sea Country Alliance, the PBC Steering Group, a member of the First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance with the Australian National University and the Coalition of the Peaks, and partner of the Mabo Centre with the University of Melbourne.
Our Governance
The National Native Title Council (NNTC) is committed to strong, representative governance that serves the interests of our diverse membership. We have two member classes—one for PBCs and TOCs, and another for NTRBs and NTSPs—ensuring tailored engagement and decision-making. Our Board consists of 10 Directors, balancing representation across member classes while maintaining strategic oversight.
How the NNTC is governedOur team consists of passionate advocates, experts in native title, and experienced leaders who are committed to advancing the rights and interests of Traditional Owners.
Our Board
9 directors
01 / 09
Ned David
Director
Ned David is a Kulkalaig man from Tudu (Warrior) Island in the Torres Strait.
Joshua Haynes
Director
Joshua Haynes is a Yandruwanha Yawarawarka man.
Patricia Laurie
Director
Patricia is a Yaegl/Bundjalung woman from the Far North Coast of NSW. These are her grandmother’s Countries, and she also acknowledges her grandfather’s Countries of Gumbaynggirr and Walbunja Yuin.
Peter Windie
Director
Peter is a Thudgari man who played an integral leadership role in his peoples’ Native Title Determination in 2009. He was also an applicant on the combined Thiin-Mah Warriyangka Tharrkari Jiwarli native title claim, determined in 2019.
Kaylene Malthouse
Director
Ms Kaylene Malthouse, a Malanbarra Yidinji/Nadagion woman from the Rainforests of North Queensland, born in Gordonvale 30kms southwest of Cairns.
Kenneth Stewart
Director
Ken is a Wamba Wamba descendent with strong family ties to the Lake Boga area as a fourth-generation descendant.
Bradley Saunders
Director
Bradley Saunders is a proud Gunggari Elder and Traditional Owner from the Maranoa River region in Western Queensland. He brings a wealth of experience in Aboriginal affairs, community development and public administration, having dedicated over 20 years to the Queensland Public Service. In senior leadership positions, including as Regional Director for South West Queensland within the Department of Seniors, Disability Services, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Bradley worked to strengthen outcomes for Indigenous communities in employment, education, housing and child safety.
Tyronne Garstone
Director
Tyronne Garstone is a Bardi man, born in Broome on Yawuru Country in Western Australia, and is the Chief Executive Officer of the Kimberley Land Council (KLC). He has spent most of his working life within the Indigenous sector in areas including employment and training, social and economic development, native title, Indigenous leadership and capability building.
Our History
The National Native Title Council (NNTC) celebrates 20 years of advocacy and leadership in 2025.
Its origins trace back to the dissolution of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) in 2005, which left the native title sector without a unified voice to engage with government.
In August 2005, CEOs of Native Title Representative Bodies and Native Title Service Providers (NTRB/SPs) across Australia formed an alliance to strengthen collaboration and influence national policy. By October 2005, they had formally adopted the name ‘National Native Title Council,’ and in 2006, the NNTC was incorporated as a public company limited by guarantee. The organisation gained Public Benevolent Institution status in 2011.
Initially operating from the Goldfields Land and Sea Council, the NNTC grew rapidly, securing funding for a full-time CEO and a part-time Executive Officer in 2010. The office later relocated to co-locate with First Nations Legal and Research Services (formerly Native Title Services Victoria).
Throughout its early years, the NNTC brought together 14 out of 15 NTRB/SPs as members, with seven founding members. The Board initially comprised the CEOs of each member organisation, later expanding to include Chairs, reaching 25 Directors by 2017.
In 2017, the NNTC amended its Constitution to open membership to Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs), creating two membership categories: Regional Members (NTRB/SPs and regional organisations representing PBCs) and Local Members (PBCs and Traditional Owner Corporations). Governance structures were also refined, establishing a Board with four Directors elected by Regional Members, four by Local Members, and two appointed directly by the Board. A sub-committee of all members, known as the Council, was formed to enhance collaboration, with the Board meeting at least five times a year and the Council convening at least three times, including an Annual General Meeting.
Since 2017, Local Membership has steadily increased, with significant growth from 2022 onwards. Today, the NNTC proudly represents over 100 members, continuing its mission to advocate for native title rights and support Traditional Owners in securing and managing their lands and waters.
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1992
The Mabo Decision v Queensland (No 2)
High Court rejects terra nullius, recognizes native title for the first time. This landmark case had a profound impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land rights in Australia.
Photo: Mabo plaintiffs, witnesses and their lawyer at the Supreme Court of QLD Brisbane May 1989. Courtesy of Trevor Graham, Yarra Bank Films, from the film Land Bilong Islanders. -
1993
Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)
This Act, passed in response to the Mabo decision, set the framework for recognizing and protecting native title. It created the system of Native Title Representative Bodies and Prescribed Bodies Corporate, which play a key role in land management and negotiations.
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2005
National Native Title Council (NNTC) established.
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2017
NNTC amends constitution to provide for PBC membership.
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2018
South West Native Title Settlement (Noongar)
largest native title settlement in Australian history.
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2019
Timber Creek Compensation Case (Northern Territory v Griffiths)
High Court sets principles for calculating native title compensation. This was the first time the Court had considered how compensation under the Native Title Act should be assessed.
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2020
The Sea Country Alliance Established
In November 2020, the Sea Country Alliance was formed at the National Summit held at the Darwin Convention Centre in the Northern Territory.
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2020
Nations Heritage Protection Alliance Established
In June 2020 the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance (FNHPA) was formed when First Nations groups from across the country came together in response to the ongoing destruction of significant cultural heritage.
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2024
NNTC Membership tops 100 members
By the end of 2024, NNTC had 127 members (113 local members, 14 regional members).
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2024
Dhawura Ngilan Business and Investor Initiative launched
In March 2024 the Dhawura Ngilan Business and Investor Initiative was launched in Canberra.
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2025
The NNTC celebrates 20 years
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2025
Mabo Centre Launched
In February 2025 the Mabo Centre was launched in Boorloo/Perth.
Strategy and values
The plan we work to, and what we have done against it.
Trusted by organisations championing Indigenous rights
MGCorp proudly acknowledges the National Native Title Council’s vital leadership in the native title sector, driving policy development and systemic reform to empower Traditional Owners. The NNTC’s advocacy ensures native title holders’ voices are heard, advancing self-determination and strengthening governance across Australia. As a member, MGCorp values the Council’s unwavering commitment to protecting Indigenous rights and creating pathways for sustainable futures.
Lawford Benning Chair, MGCorp, WA NNTC PBC member
As a regional native title service provider, we greatly value NNTC’s leadership on vital matters impacting the sector and its people. Working together, we’re able to strengthen the native title system, influence national policy, and support our clients with a unified and strategic approach across the sector.
Johanna Ramsay Chief Executive Officer, Central Desert Native Title Services Ltd NNTC Regional member
As a regional native title organisation, we value our collaborative relationship with the National Native Title Council. Working together, we’re able to strengthen the native title system, influence national policy, and support our members with a unified and strategic approach across the sector.
Leon Yeatman CEO, North Queensland Land Council NNTC Regional member
The National Native Title Council plays a key role in connecting organisations across the sector. Through their leadership, we’ve been able to build strong networks, exchange ideas, and work collectively to advance the interests of native title holders.
Marcia McCullough Board Member, First Nations Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, Taribelang Bunda People Aboriginal Corporation, QLD NNTC PBC member
Join the NNTC
Become a member of the NNTC and join our collective effort to empower traditional owners, advance First Nations rights, and strengthen the native title system. Together, we are stronger.
Become a member