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Media Release 11 September 2026

Traditional Owners must share in critical minerals wealth

The National Native Title Council 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…

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Media Release 11 September 2026 Traditional Owners must share in critical minerals wealth The National Native Title Council 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.

Media Release 6 August 2026 Landmark ruling: native title holders must be heard on water decisions The National Native Title Council welcomes the High Court decision in favour of Mpwerempwer Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, which quashes the grant of a proposed 30-year groundwater extraction licence for Singleton Station in the Northern Territory.

Media Release 24 June 2026 Landmark new ALRC report exposes Traditional Owners have been shortchanged – NNTC says by tens of billions The Australian Law Reform Commission’s Fulfilling the Promise of Mabo - Reforming the Future Acts Regime final report, tabled in Parliament today, highlights that Traditional Owners are denied equal and fair access to compensation. Traditional Owners across Australia are owed compensation in the tens of billions of dollars. If adopted, the recommendations would reform the Act to make it fairer and more just into the future, but the Federal Government will need to use this moment to remedy the past.

Media Release 12 May 2026 Yindjibarndi judgment tip of the iceberg as billions in native title compensation remains unpaid nationwide The National Native Title Council says today’s Federal Court judgment in the Yindjibarndi native title compensation case illustrates the scale of unpaid compensation owed to Traditional Owners. “The Yindjibarndi People in the Pilbara have had recognised native title rights for more than two decades, but they have spent four years in the courts to access

Our Stories 16 April 2026 Case Study: McArthur River Native Title Compensation Case McArthur River Native Title Compensation Case A landmark compensation claim by the Gudanji, Yanyua and Yanyuwa-Marra peoples for economic and cultural loss caused by the McArthur River mine — assessed under the principles of the Native Title Act 1993.

Media Release 27 February 2026 McARTHUR RIVER MINE DECISION SHINES LIGHT ON NATIONWIDE ISSUE: GOVERNMENT FAILURE TO PAY COMPENSATION OWED The National Native Title Council (NNTC) says today’s Federal Court decision on Traditional Owner rights to compensation is the result of relentless advocacy and court action by the Gudanji, Yanyuwa and Yanyuwa-Marra peoples. The case was filed in the Federal Court in December 2020, seeking compensation from the Northern Territory Government for the establishment of the McArthur River Mine and its impact on native title rights. Led by Traditional

Media Release 31 October 2025 VICTORIA LEADS THE WAY: AUSTRALIA’S FIRST TREATY SETS A BENCHMARK FOR OTHER STATES AND TERRITORIES The National Native Title Council (NNTC) celebrates the momentous passing of Victorian legislation that will give effect to the first Treaty in Australia between First Nations peoples and a government. “This is a proud moment for all Australians. We congratulate all First Nations Victorians, the First Peoples’ Assembly and the Victorian Government for their courage

Media Release 18 September 2025 Experts warn clean energy transition must not come at cost of Indigenous rights First Nations’ rights over Sea Country are being overlooked as Australia races into offshore gas and wind development, according to new research, with experts warning Traditional Owners remain excluded from decisions that threaten vital cultural, spiritual and economic connections.According to a study in Heritage led by the Sea Country Alliance with Charles Darwin University (CDU), cultural rights

Media Release 10 September 2025 AUSTRALIA’S FIRST TREATY A HISTORIC MILESTONE FOR FIRST NATIONS DECISION-MAKING The National Native Title Council (NNTC) celebrates the introduction of legislation into the Victoria Parliament to enact Australia’s first Treaty agreement with Victorian Traditional Owners. “Treaty is about First Nations decision-making on First Nations issues,” said Jamie Lowe, CEO of the National Native Title Council and Gundjitmara Djabwurrung man. “Victorian Traditional Owners have been calling

Media Release 2 August 2025 INVESTING IN TRADITIONAL OWNERS WILL DRIVE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY The National Native Title Council (NNTC) welcomes the Federal Government’s $75 million investment in Traditional Owner organisations to manage native title rights. “Investing in the native title sector is game-changing. This injection of capacity will mean more jobs, more opportunities for young people and stronger protection for our cultural heritage,” said Jamie Lowe, CEO of

Media Release 19 July 2025 Historic Native Title first – Latji Latji, Ngintait, and Nyeri Nyeri Peoples secure exclusive possession rights in Victoria The National Native Title Council (NNTC) congratulates the Latji Latji, Ngintait and Nyeri Nyeri Peoples on securing exclusive possession over parts of their Country in a new native title consent determination handed down by the Federal Court of Australia. “This determination is a significant step forward in the recognition of Traditional Owners’ native title rights.

NNTC in the News 6 June 2025 Council of First Nations: New name and renewed aim for Indigenous voice lobby As published in the Australian on Friday 6th June.Paige Taylor The fundraising vehicle of Yes23’s unsuccessful campaign for an Indigenous voice has reemerged with a new name – the Council of First Nations – and is poised to form a membership-based national body for the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Arrernte filmmaker

NNTC in the News 6 June 2025 PM must not miss opportunity to empower native title holders As published in the Australian Friday 6th June With a clear majority in the House of Representatives and a Senate crossbench keen to prove its pragmatism, the Albanese government has a once-in-a-generation chance to deliver a comprehensive settlement package to native title holders whose property rights have been extinguished or obstructed. Thanks to recent High

Our Stories 28 May 2025 Protecting Indigenous cultural heritage is the right thing to do and makes good business sense Five years since the destruction of Juukan Gorge, investors and businesses are calling for stronger laws to protect Australia’s unique Indigenous heritage. The destruction of Juukan Gorge on 24 May 2020 highlighted the inadequacies in cultural heritage protection in this country and was a wake-up call to corporate Australia. The ramifications of that incident and

Our Stories 21 May 2025 Videos: Traditional Owners Co-owning Clean Energy Projects Two short animation videos aimed at PBC Directors and native title holders to explain clean energy project development and the risks and benefits of co-ownership. View Video part 1 View Video part 2

Our Stories 20 May 2025 Native Title Compensation Videos A Native Title compensation application is made by native title holders seeking compensation for the loss, diminution, impairment or other effect of an act, on their native title rights and interests over an area of land or waters. The National Native Title Council (NNTC) has created a series of animated videos that seeks to simplify

Media Release 14 May 2025 TRADITIONAL OWNERS JOIN INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE FOR RESPONSIBLE MINING ASSURANCE 14 May 2025 The National Native Title Council (NNTC) is pleased to support the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) in advancing its global vision to protect people and the environment directly affected by mining. IRMA is the only voluntary mining standard where affected communities and Traditional Owners have the same power as mining companies.

Media Release 20 March 2025 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA V YUNUPINGU [2025] HCA 6 12 March 2025 The National Native Title Council (NNTC) welcomes the decision of the High Court of Australia in Commonwealth of Australia v Yunupingu [2025] HCA 6 and congratulates the Yunupingu family and Gumatj Clan. The High Court of Australia has delivered a landmark judgment on compensation for native title holders in the Northern Territory. The

Media Release 29 November 2024 TRADITIONAL OWNERS MUST HAVE FUNDING AND FINANCE FOR A FUTURE MADE IN AUSTRALIA The National Native Title Council (NNTC) is urging the Australian Government to provide Traditional Owners funding and access to finance in response to a Parliamentary report that recommends essential steps to supporting First Nations Australians’ right to economic self-determination. “The clean energy transition provides vast opportunities for Traditional Owners with numerous clean energy, transmission and

Media Release 11 September 2024 CALLS FOR REVIEW OF NATIVE TITLE CORPORATIONS ARE MISDIRECTED AND OUT OF TOUCH The National Native Title Council (NNTC) urges Senators to reject calls for the establishment of a Select Committee on First Nations Representative Bodies which would inquire into native title corporations and their representative regional bodies. “Following the failure of the Voice to Parliament, it’s upsetting that some politicians would continue to use Aboriginal and Torres

Media Release 3 August 2024 NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL WELCOMES PM ALBANESE’S VISION FOR FIRST NATIONS ECONOMIC FUTURES AT GARMA In a speech at the Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to enable transformational investment by partnering with the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance (FNHPA) to connect First Nations communities directly with companies and investors. This announcement builds on the co-design work underway as part of the formal

Media Release 1 August 2024 NNTC CELEBRATES LAND AND SEA SUCCESS IN CLOSING THE GAP, BUT EXPECTS RAISED AMBITIONS The National Native Title Council welcomes the progress towards the land and sea targets seen in the Productivity Commission’s latest Annual Data Compilation Report and Data Dashboard. The report, released yesterday, tracks progress of all Australian governments against the targets they agreed to under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Targets 15A and 15B

Media Release 11 April 2024 BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT LEADERS RAISE THE BAR ON FIRST NATIONS CULTURAL HERITAGE PROTECTION Business and investment leaders have taken a pivotal step towards elevating their protection of First Nations cultural heritage by committing to a new best practice standard defined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that was launched in Canberra today by the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance (FNHPA). “Today’s launch of the Dhawura Ngilan Business

Media Release 11 April 2024 NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL CONGRATULATES GOMEROI PEOPLE AND CALLS FOR REFORM TO THE NATIVE TITLE ACT A Statement from the NNTC The peak body for Australia’s local and regional native title organisations, the National Native Title Council (NNTC), congratulates the Gomeroi People for their landmark victory in the Full Federal Court this week. The Gomeroi People were successful in an application to overturn a determination of the National Native Title Tribunal

SCA Media 14 March 2024 SEA COUNTRY ALLIANCE | TRADITIONAL OWNERS HAVE A VOICE BUT GOVERNMENT AND GREENS DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT ON SEA COUNTRY The Government and the Greens both claim they want to hear the Voice of Traditional Owners. But today, when it came to rights in Sea Country, they both tried to silence the voice of the nation’s representative Traditional Owner organisations. None of the members of the of the Senate Economics Legislation Committee inquiring into the

SCA Media 13 February 2024 NEW NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF TRADITIONAL OWNERS WITH SEA COUNTRY RIGHTS Today, Australia’s Traditional Owners with responsibility for Sea Country have come together in Canberra to speak with one voice for Sea Country rights. The Alliance represents all coastal state and territories, from the Torres Strait Islands to Tiwi Islands, mainland Australia to Tasmania, ensuring that the complexity of our diverse seas, oceans and coastal areas

Media Release 5 December 2023 AN OPEN LETTER TO SENATORS FROM THE NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL

Media Release 29 November 2023 THE NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL SALUTES SENATOR PATRICK DODSON AAP Image The National Native Title Council pays tribute to extraordinary Yawuru Elder and leader Senator Patrick Dodson from Broome, Western Australia who yesterday announced his retirement from the Federal Parliament as a member of the Australian Labor Party and Senator for WA. A man who dedicated his life’s work to improving the lives of

Media Release 17 November 2023 TAKING CONTROL OF OUR DESTINY | EMBODYING THE SPIRIT OF EMPOWERMENT AND DETERMINATION The Indigenous peoples in Australia and Canada share a similar history marked by the dispossession of their lands and waters, the denial of their rights, systematic exclusion from the economy and from opportunities for wealth creation. This exclusion and marginalisation of Indigenous peoples from economic opportunities is an ongoing issue in both Australia and Canada.

Media Release 24 May 2023 NNTC CELEBRATES HISTORIC AGREEMENT ACHIEVED BY THE TJIWARL PEOPLE OF THE GOLDFIELDS REGION, WESTERN AUSTRALIA The National Native Title Council (NNTC) is celebrating a groundbreaking agreement announced this week by the Tjiwarl people after 18 months of negotiations with the Western Australian Government to support their economic, social and cultural development. The agreement is called “Tjiwarl Palyakuwa: Tiiwa kuwarri yampa ngula”, which in Ngalia language means “A Tjiwarl Agreement: from

Media Release 21 April 2023 THERE IS NO NET ZERO ECONOMY WITHOUT FIRST NATIONS POLICY CHANGE The National Native Title Council (NNTC) is urging for comprehensive policy reform in response to a new study released on Wednesday 19 April, that finds approximately 43% or an area of 50,000 km2 of new renewable energy and transmission infrastructure would need to be sited on the Indigenous Estate for Australia to get to net

Media Release 31 January 2023 REVIVING A COMMITMENT TO FIRST NATIONS CULTURAL HERITAGE The First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance applauds the new Federal Government’s new National Cultural Policy – Revive: that places First Nations communities at the heart of the nation’s cultural road map. Importantly, it is recognised the new cultural policy outlines a government commitment to introduce legislation to protect intangible First Nations knowledge and cultural expressions,

Media Release 8 December 2022 THE ALLIANCE APPLAUDS THE GOVERNMENT’S BACKING OF FIRST NATIONS ENGAGEMENT STANDARDS TO NEW EPBC REFORM The First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance (The Alliance) welcomes Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s announcement that delivers Australia’s most comprehensive reform of environmental law since the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) was first introduced. The Australian Government’s response builds on Professor Graeme Samuel AC’s recommendations in the Nature Positive Plan: better for

Media Release 24 November 2022 HISTORIC DAY IN THE FIGHT TO PROTECT FIRST NATIONS CULTURAL HERITAGE In an historic meeting the Minister for Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek met with the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance (FNHPA) signing a crucial Partnership Agreement. Says Co-Chair of FNHPA and Ngalia Cultural and Community Leader Kado Muir “A commitment to co-design this important piece of legislation reflects a true partnership between First

Media Release 8 November 2022 JUST LAWS, FAIR PLAY & FIRST NATIONS RENEWABLES For Australia to address the climate crisis by using land and seascapes to generate renewable energy or for carbon sequestration, it must be done in partnership with First Nations landowners who own or manage much of those resources. In September this year, in its Climate Change Act 2022 Australia’s new Federal Government legislated commitments to

Media Release 8 November 2022 NNTC WEIGHS IN ON THE DISCRIMINATORY NSW FISHERIES MANAGEMENT BILL The National Native Title Council (NNTC) fully supports NTSCORP in their stance against the proposed amendment to NSW Fisheries Management Bill, slamming the prejudiced proposal criminalising Aboriginal people’s cultural rights to fish. The new bill seeks to expand search powers and the definition of a premise to include a beach, trail, track, rock platform, and

Media Release 15 August 2022 TRADITIONAL OWNERS CALL ON STATE GOVERNMENT TO GET REAL ON FAKE LAND DEAL A last minute extension to consultation on changes to the WA Government’s Land Administration Act is seen to be too little too late by uneasy traditional owners. After a mere six-week public feedback period on proposed amendments, the State on Friday extended the feedback date an additional week to 19 August. The amendments allow for

Media Release 28 July 2022 LANDMARK MONTGOMERY CASE OVERTURNED BY THE ALBANESE GOVERNMENT Today the National Native Title Council (NNTC) received notice that Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus QC withdrew the High Court case against Mr Shayne Montgomery, which sought to overturn established legal precedent and give the Federal Government the power to deport Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are not Australian citizens from their own country. Mr

Media Release 21 July 2022 FIRST NATIONS CLEAN ENERGY SYMPOSIUM: RENEWABLES BOOM FOR ALL Address by Asst Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Jenny McAllister Hosted by National Native Title Council, First Nations Clean Energy Network and Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation MEDIA CONFERENCE: 10.40AM, Savoy Room, L8, Grand Hyatt, with Chair, National Native Title Council Kado Muir, First Nations Clean Energy Network architects Karrina Nolan + Chris

Media Release 19 July 2022 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT SHOWS STRONGER LAWS NEEDED TO PREVENT REPEAT OF JUUKAN GORGE The First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance has welcomed today’s release of the State Of The Environment Report and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure First Nations Peoples have a greater say in defining and protecting cultural heritage. The Alliance, which represents Aboriginal Land Councils, Native Title Representative Bodies and Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Media Release 14 July 2022 BUILDING CAPACITY, WEALTH AND PROSPERITY TO SUPPORT FIRST NATIONS LAND AND WATER ENTERPRISE Australian First Nations hold native title rights and interests on over 40 per cent of Australia’s land and waters, with holdings continuing to grow. The National Native Title Council (NNTC) collaborated with Australia’s national science agency CSIRO to identify and unite with local Indigenous landowners, seeking to understand their country better to create stronger economic

Media Release 22 June 2022 MOU BETWEEN THE NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL AND THE FIRST NATIONS PORTFOLIO OF THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY In a historic move to enhance the engagement of the Australian National University (ANU) with First Nations people, on 23 June 2022 the National Native Title Council (NNTC) and the First Nations Portfolio (FNP) of ANU will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Marramarra Murru* First Nations Economic Development Symposium. The Symposium, led

Media Release 27 May 2022 FIRST NATIONS HERITAGE PROTECTION ALLIANCE GOES LIVE ONLINE www.culturalheritage.org.au The First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance (FNHPA) is proud to announce the launch of our dedicated website, hosted and managed by the National Native Title Council. The FNHPA is an Australian coalition, formed to deliver and maintain new laws and policies, working to ensure First Nations’ cultural heritage is protected, recognised and celebrated. The

Media Release 24 May 2022 THE NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL CONGRATULATES THE NEW AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT The National Native Title Council (NNTC) congratulates Anthony Albanese as the new Prime Minister of Australia, and the induction of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) to the Australian Federal Government. The NNTC acknowledges the 47th Parliament is a momentous change for diverse representation, bringing in ten First Nations politicians. Most notable is Labor MP Linda

Media Release 20 April 2022 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF MABO | RESTORING KOIKI’S TRADITIONAL HOME AND FINAL REST PLACE This year marks the 30 years since the Mabo case overturned the doctrine of Terra Nullius in the high court of Australia, giving birth to Native Title. Edward Koiki Mabo was an Indigenous Australian man from the Torres Strait Islands known for his role in campaigning for Indigenous land rights in Australia. In particular Koiki

Media Release 14 April 2022 CO-DESIGN IS MORE THAN JUST CONSULTATION With a purpose to generate a meaningful and collaborative dialogue on Co-Design, Traditional Owners from across WA met with government, industry and investor representatives, to discuss how the principles of co-design should inform the implementation of the WA Government’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 (ACH Act). In his opening remarks to the two day workshop,

Media Release 1 April 2022 NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL RESPONDS TO THE FUNDING BOOST FOR PRESCRIBED BODIES CORPORATE SECTOR FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENT In a move to strengthen the rights and capacity of native title holders, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s latest budget included $37.5 million to invest in the future of the Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBC) sector. The Federal Government’s plan includes $31 million through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy, and $6.5 million to support the implementation of the measures.

Media Release 28 March 2022 WA ALLIANCE SEEKS TO RAISE THE BAR FOR CO-DESIGN IN ABORGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE PROTECTION ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE PROTECTION CO-DESIGN WORKSHOP THURSDAY, 7 – FRIDAY, 8 APRIL 2022 In response to the widespread opposition from Aboriginal communities to the McGowan Government’s rushed Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 (WA) (ACH Act), the WA Alliance of Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers (the Alliance) is hosting the ‘Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Protection

Media Release 15 March 2022 MODERNISING ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CULTURAL HERITAGE PROTECTIONS The First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance (FNHPA) and the Commonwealth government today released a co-authored discussion paper on the Modernisation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage. The release of the paper coincides with the launch of a co-designed national engagement process, that will seek the views of First Nations people as well as

Media Release 23 February 2022 FUNDING FIRST NATIONS BENEFITS ALL OF AUSTRALIA The recent release of 10 recommendations tabled in a Commonwealth report “The engagement of traditional owners in the economic development of northern Australia, urged governments to outlay long-term funding agreements to help Traditional Owners engage in and benefit from economic opportunities and development. Since the Native Title Act 1993 was established, Native title holders are

Media Release 26 January 2022 NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSY This 26 January 2022 will see us acknowledging an iconic moment in the struggle for justice for Aboriginal people, the 50 Year anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra, Ngambri-Ngunnawal Country. Aboriginal people erected the Tent Embassy directly in front of Old Parliament House in 1972 in Canberra to protest against a court decision over

Media Release 18 December 2021 TRADITIONAL OWNERS LEFT IN THE DARK WITH UNEXPECTED WA CABINET RE-SHUFFLE Days after introducing new heritage laws against the wishes of Aboriginal people, WA Aboriginal Affairs Minister Stephen Dawson has been stripped of this portfolio in a cabinet reshuffle, with the remaining question ‘why so suddenly?’ "The fleeting impermanence of ministerial appoints show the stark contrast of experiences and laws,” says Kado Muir, Western Australia Ngalia

Media Release 15 December 2021 CONDEMNATION AS WA CULTURAL HERITAGE BILL IS PASSED National Native Title Council (NNTC) openly condemns the new Cultural Heritage Act bill passed in WA Government legislation today, stating the bill was not co-designed with Traditional Owners, as required by national best practice standards and recommended by the Juukan George inquiry. Gundjitmara Djabwurrung man and CEO of NNTC Jamie Lowe says “As we have

Media Release 29 November 2021 GOVERNMENT SIGNS FIRST NATIONS ALLIANCE PARTNERSHIP The Morrison Government today announced an historic partnership with the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance to strengthen safeguards for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley and Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt AM said the new partnership ensured Indigenous Australians would be at the centre of Indigenous Heritage planning.

Media Release 17 November 2021 CALL FOR URGENT UN INTERVENTION ON ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE BILL (WA) Early September this year, Kado Muir, Slim Parker, Dr Anne Poelina, Clayton Lewis and Dr Hannah McGlade, five eminent Western Australian Traditional Owners, lodged an Early Warning and Urgent Request to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, to push for an intervention in regards to WA Government’s draft Aboriginal Cultural Heritage

Media Release 11 November 2021 SHAREHOLDERS SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO FORTESCUE METALS GROUP TO STRENGTHEN WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S CULTURAL HERITAGE PROTECTION LAWS Following the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) with the support of National Native Title Council (NNTC) and Western Australian Aboriginal Heritage Alliance co-filing a shareholder resolution at the Fortescue Metals Group Limited AGM, shareholders demonstrated a clear message of support to improve Western Australian Cultural Heritage Protection Laws in Sydney on 9 November 2021.

Media Release 28 October 2021 CARING FOR COUNTRY – AUSTRALIA’S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE For world leaders heading to Glasgow for the November Climate Summit (GOP26) it has been described as the ‘last chance to save the planet’. For Australia, utilising 40,000 plus years of continuous Caring for Country, its First Nations people can offer a competitive advantage. First Nations hold native title or land rights over 49% of

Media Release 23 October 2021 WALK FOR ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE THIS SATURDAY Date: Saturday, 23 October 2021 Time: 9am – 12:30pm - please arrive by 9.00am for the 9.30am start. Place: Commences Victoria Gardens, Royal Street, Perth (walk ends near Optus Stadium, where speeches will take place) Whadjuk Noongar Country will play host to the “Walk for Cultural Heritage” on this Saturday 23 October from 9am. A

Media Release 20 October 2021 A WAY FORWARD – JUUKAN GORGE REPORT The National Native Title Council (NNTC) welcomes the extensive recommendations made in ‘A Way Forward - Final Report Into the destruction of Indigenous heritage sites at Juukan Gorge’ from the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia, as tabled today in Commonwealth Parliament, calling for the Commonwealth to legislate a new framework for Indigenous Cultural Heritage

Media Release 13 October 2021 LANDMARK FIRST NATIONS, BUSINESS AND INVESTOR INITIATIVE LAUNCHES TO IMPROVE CULTURAL HERITAGE PROTECTION IN AUSTRALIA A landmark business and investor initiative has been launched – bringing together First Nations, business and investor communities – focused on strengthening Australia’s First People’s heritage laws and standards for the private sector to uphold the human rights of First Peoples. Led by the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance in partnership with the Global Compact

Media Release 17 June 2021 NNTC SUPPORTS CALL FOR A HALT TO PASSING DRAFT WA HERITAGE BILL, CITES LACK OF CONSULTATION, LACK OF HERITAGE PROTECTION & FINANCIAL RISKS The National Native Title Council (NNTC) supports the WA Alliance – the five native title organisations that represent Aboriginal interests over the whole of Western Australia – in their unanimous call for the WA Government to press pause on passing its proposed new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill, stating it fails to protect cultural heritage and

Media Release 24 May 2021 JUUKAN GORGE: ONE YEAR ON & STILL AWAITING REFORM One year on from Rio Tinto’s destruction of the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge caves in the Western Pilbara, and we are still waiting for the legislative reform that will prevent a repeat of the catastrophe. The destruction of the caves, which were among Australia’s most culturally and archaeologically significant heritage sites, resulted in global condemnation and

Media Release 14 May 2021 TRUTH-TELLING: YOO-RROOK JUSTICE COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCED Victoria is a step closer to implementing its historic truth-telling process, which will accompany Treaty negotiations, with today’s announcement of the Yoo-rrook Justice Commissioners. The five justice commissioners will lead Australia’s first truth-telling process, hearing testimonies from First Nations people about their experiences with colonisation and inquiring into the laws, policies and practices that continue

Media Release 13 May 2021 NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO 2021-22 FEDERAL BUDGET The National Native Title Council welcomes reforms in the 2021-22 Federal Budget to support Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs) but holds concerns over the business-as-usual approach to project funding and the Budget’s insufficient allocations in light of how many PBCs are expected to exist in coming years. Last night, the Government announced it would be investing

Media Release 15 April 2021 NNTC: 30 YEARS ON, DEATHS IN CUSTODY A NATIONAL SHAME Three decades on from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, the rate of Indigenous incarceration and deaths in custody continues to be one of our country’s greatest shames, said the National Native Title Council (NNTC). Since the 1991 Royal Commission, at least a further 474 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have died

Media Release 3 March 2021 NNTC WELCOMES RIO TINTO CHAIR RESIGNATION The National Native Title Council (NNTC) has welcomed news Rio Tinto Chairman Simon Thompson and director Michael L’Estrange will exit the board by 2022. Mr Thompson has sat on the Rio Tinto board since 2014 and became Chair in 2018, presiding over the catastrophic destruction of the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge caves and the company leadership’s

Media Release 4 February 2021 NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL THANKS FORMER CHAIR, WELCOMES NEW BOARD LEADERS The National Native Title Council (NNTC) has this week welcomed Mr Kado Muir as the new Chair of its board and Ms Francine McCarthy as Deputy Chairperson, while thanking Mr Kevin Smith for his leadership as former Chairperson. Mr Smith, who holds traditional connections to Ugar (Stephen Island) and Erub (Darnley Island) in the Torres

Media Release 15 January 2021 RIO TINTO’S BROKEN PROMISES AT OAK FLAT SHOW NEED FOR STRONGER HERITAGE LAWS Apache tribe members & supporters at a rally in 2019. Image credit: Sandra Rambler/Censored News Mining companies Rio Tinto and BHP have been accused of using the dying days of the Trump administration to push ahead with their controversial copper mine on sacred Native American land at Oak Flat in Arizona US, laying bare Rio

Media Release 10 December 2020 NNTC WELCOMES JUUKAN INTERIM REPORT, CALLS FOR COMPENSATION TO PKKP The National Native Title Council (NNTC) has welcomed the senate inquiry’s interim report into the Juukan Gorge destruction, handed down yesterday, and called for Rio Tinto to pay compensation to the PKKP people. The interim report, titled ‘Never Again’, condemns Rio Tinto, and the WA and Federal governments, whose legislative failings enabled the enormous imbalance

Media Release 2 November 2020 NNTC SUPPORTS GLOBAL INVESTOR COALITION’S LETTER TO MINING COMPANIES The National Native Title Council (NNTC) strongly supports the coalition of 64 global investors, together representing $14 trillion in assets, who this week wrote a letter to Australian and international mining companies seeking clarity and assurances over their standards of engagement with Indigenous communities. The letter, signed by the Church of England Pensions Board and

Media Release 15 October 2020 BHP MAKES CULTURAL HERITAGE PROGRESS BUT HAS LONG ROAD TO TRAVEL The National Native Title Council (NNTC) welcomes BHP’s commitment to implementing a range of improved practices but is adamant that the mining company, whose Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place yesterday, has a very long way to go in meeting best practice standards in cultural heritage protection. The NNTC, together with the First Nations Heritage

Media Release 23 September 2020 NNTC WELCOMES MINISTERIAL COMMUNIQUE BUT SAYS WA’S PROPOSED CULTURAL HERITAGE BILL FALLS SHORT The National Native Title Council (NNTC) welcomes the communique following Monday’s roundtable meeting of cultural heritage ministers, but still holds major concerns over the WA Government’s proposed new bill, which falls significantly short of the reform needed and does not require the consent of Traditional Owners for cultural heritage to be destroyed. Chaired by Minister

Media Release 11 September 2020 NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL WELCOMES RIO TINTO DISMISSALS The National Native Title Council (NNTC) welcomes the dismissal of Rio Tinto’s three executives, CEO Jean-Sebastien Jacques, Iron Ore boss Chris Salisbury and corporate affairs boss Simone Niven, under whose leadership the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge caves were bombed in May, but warns a company staff change is only the crucial first step. The NNTC wrote

Media Release 31 August 2020 THE ‘BOMBING’ OF JUUKAN GORGE: TRADITIONAL OWNERS LACK RIGHTS & FUNDING The National Native Title Council (NNTC) appeared before the Juukan Gorge Senate Inquiry on Friday, pointing out the lack of rights and resourcing for Traditional Owners (through their Prescribed Bodies Corporate or PBCs) and the legislative deficiencies that led to the destruction of the 46,000-year-old caves. Those legislative deficiencies include a lack of real protection

Media Release 11 August 2020 RIO TINTO’S ADMISSIONS TO JUUKAN GORGE INQUIRY “DISGRACEFUL” The National Native Title Council (NNTC) has labelled Rio Tinto’s admissions to the Senate Inquiry into the destruction of the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge caves “disgraceful” and has pointed the finger again at the grossly out-dated Aboriginal Heritage Act (AHA) in Western Australia. Rio Tinto’s executives appeared before the parliamentary inquiry on Friday, making a number

Media Release 21 July 2020 REVIEW OF EPBC ACT TO INCLUDE IMPROVED INDIGENOUS HERITAGE PROTECTION STANDARDS Image credit: Carolyn Betts The National Native Title Council (NNTC) has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to commence a national engagement process for modernising the protection of Indigenous cultural heritage, which is an outcome of the ongoing review into the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The national engagement process will commence with a

Media Release 16 June 2020 TRADITIONAL OWNERS DISEMPOWERED BY ABORIGINAL HERITAGE LEGISLATION The National Native Title Council (NNTC) met today and is calling on the Commonwealth to implement national legislation for Indigenous cultural heritage, greater accountability from mining companies and law reform in the states and territories to stop the destruction of Aboriginal heritage across the country. Recent destruction of sacred heritage sites in Western Australia by

Media Release 27 May 2020 DESTRUCTION OF ABORIGINAL HERITAGE: WE NEED TO FOCUS ON REFORM In response to the destruction of an Aboriginal heritage site by a mining company over the weekend in the Western Pilbara region, National Native Title Council’s Chief Executive Jamie Lowe stated: “The destruction of this extremely significant heritage site is devastating and we stand with the Traditional Owners, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura peoples,

Media Release 11 February 2020 CLOSING THE GAP CLOSING THE GAP: PM DELIVERS FINAL REPORT The Prime Minister today tabled the 12th and final Closing the Gap report in Parliament before it’s set to be overhauled under a new framework co-designed by Indigenous communities. Over the 25-year campaign, only two out of seven targets are on track, while the gap in mortality rates

Media Release 11 February 2020 NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL CEO NAMED INDIGENOUS VOICE CO-DESIGN MEMBER NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL CEO NAMED INDIGENOUS VOICE CO-DESIGN MEMBER The National Native Title Council (NNTC) welcomes Minister Wyatt’s announcement yesterday of the 15 members of the Indigenous Voice Co-design Group, which includes its own Chief Executive, Jamie Lowe. The Co-design Group will be co-chaired by senior Indigenous leader Dr Donna Odegaard AM and is

Media Release 10 February 2020 PRIME MINISTER MEETS WITH COALITION OF PEAKS ON CLOSING THE GAP PRIME MINISTER MEETS WITH COALITION OF PEAKS ON CLOSING THE GAP The National Native Title Council’s (NNTC) Chief Executive, Jamie Lowe, was one of the 15 Coalition of Peaks members to meet with the Prime Minister in Canberra this morning to discuss the new Closing the Gap priorities, which aim to improve the lives of

Media Release 6 November 2019 NATIONAL TREATIES SUMMIT 2020: REGOS OPEN National Treaties Summit 2020: regos open Registrations are now open for the National Treaties Summit, which will see hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates, academics, politicians and supporters from around the country gather in Melbourne to discuss the pathway to a Treaty with Australia’s First Nations. Organised by ANTaR, the National Native Title

Media Release 17 October 2019 NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL WELCOMES ULURU CLIMB CLOSE NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCIL WELCOMES ULURU CLIMB CLOSE The National Native Title Council (NNTC) welcomes the permanent closing of the Uluru climb this Saturday, which it states is a long overdue request of the Anangu Traditional Owners. NNTC CEO Jamie Lowe said: “The Anangu Traditional Owners have made their wishes known for many years, that

Media Release 19 September 2019 NNTC WELCOMES PROPOSED PASTORAL LAND ACT (PLA) AMENDMENTS IN NT The National Native Title Council (NNTC) welcomes the Northern Territory Government’s proposed amendments to the Pastoral Land Act (PLA), which are set to be introduced to the NT’s Legislative Assembly this week.

Media Release 18 September 2019 NTC WELCOMES PROPOSED PASTORAL LAND ACT (PLA) NNTC WELCOMES PROPOSED PASTORAL LAND ACT (PLA) AMENDMENTS IN NT The National Native Title Council (NNTC) welcomes the Northern Territory Government’s proposed amendments to the Pastoral Land Act (PLA), which are set to be introduced to the NT’s Legislative Assembly this week. The proposed bill is a significant achievement, and will help strengthen the capacity

Aerial view of Wooloweyah Lagoon meeting the sea at Yamba on Bundjalung Country

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