25 November
2009
Attorney-General
Hon Robert McClelland MP
Minister for Families, Housing, Community
Services and Indigenous Affairs
Hon Jenny Macklin MP
Minister for Environment,
Heritage and the Arts
Hon Peter Garrett MP
Chief Minister of the
Northern Territory
Hon Paul Henderson MLA
Member for Lingiari
Warren Snowdon MP
The Australian and Northern
Territory Governments and the Mirarr traditional
owners today reached a landmark settlement
agreement in the Jabiru native title claim.
The claim, situated
within the World Heritage listed Kakadu
National Park, includes the Jabiru township
and is the longest-running native title
claim in the Northern Territory.
Under the agreement,
Mirarr traditional ownership will be recognised
by a grant of Aboriginal land under the
Northern Territory Aboriginal Land Rights
Act, with an immediate 99 year leaseback
of the Jabiru township to the Executive
Director of Township Leasing.
Attorney-General, Robert
McClelland, said the historic agreement
concluded committed negotiation by all parties
to produce an outcome that recognises the
Mirarr people’s relationship to country,
and to support ongoing development in the
town.
"This agreement
is a further example of the significant
results that can be achieved in negotiation
rather than litigation, and the Australian
and Northern Territory Government’s commitment
to taking a more flexible approach in native
title claims to help close the gap between
indigenous and non-indigenous Australians,”
Mr McClelland said.
The Australian Government
recognises the support which Energy Resources
of Australia Limited – the operator of the
nearby Ranger uranium mine - has given to
the Mirarr claim and this agreement.
Mr McClelland said the
strong relationship between the Mirarr and
ERA was an example of how native title can
help achieve practical reconciliation.
The Minister for Families,
Housing, Community Services and Indigenous
Affairs, Jenny Macklin, congratulated the
traditional owners on negotiating a town
leasing agreement which would provide a
strong vehicle for ongoing economic development
and investment. The settlement will lay
the foundation for Jabiru to fulfil its
potential as a regional hub for the Alligator
Rivers region.
"The lease, agreed
in consultation with Mirarr traditional
owners, will be the foundation for future
economic and social development within the
town to provide the infrastructure and services
necessary to develop Jabiru as a thriving
hub for people living in the region,"
Ms Macklin said.
The agreement ensures
that Jabiru will continue to develop within
the framework of Kakadu National Park, without
compromising its outstanding World Heritage
values. Existing interests in Jabiru will
be protected and the town will remain part
of Kakadu National Park.
Minister for the Environment,
Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett said
that the Government appreciated the positive
working relationship with the Mirarr.
“On behalf of the Government
we thank the Mirarr for their generosity
in sharing their country and heritage with
visitors from around the world.”
Northern Territory Chief
Minister Paul Henderson said the Jabiru
Native Title claim settlement was a great
win for common sense negotiation and the
Mirarr traditional owners.
“This demonstrates that
great results can be achieved when Governments
and interested parties sit down and talk
these issues through,” Mr Henderson said.
“This is a terrific
outcome and provides real opportunities
for ongoing economic development.”
Member for Lingiari,
Warren Snowdon said the historic agreement
will allow the local community to move forward
and guarantees the future of Jabiru.
"The town is the
gateway to Australia's largest national
park and one of the world's top tourist
destinations, and that provides some very
exciting opportunities," Mr Snowdon
said
