Consultation on possible governance and future acts reforms
The Attorney-General and the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs released the 'Leading Practice Agreements: Maximising Outcomes from Native Title Benefits Discussion Paper' on 3 July 2010 for public consultation on a possible package of reforms to promote leading practice in native title agreements and the governance of native title payments. The paper also canvasses possible amendments to streamline future acts processes and an amendment to clarify the meaning of 'in good faith' under the right to negotiate provisions.
The discussion paper draws on and complements:
- the report of the Native Title Payments Working Group established to advise the Government on how to facilitate better use of payments from native title agreements (Native Title Payments Working Group Report);
- the subsequent Australian Government discussion paper on optimising benefits from native title agreements (Native Title Discussion Paper);
- the workshop convened on 8 April 2010 by the Joint Working Group on Indigenous Land Settlements to consider what governments can do through native title settlement agreements to support Indigenous communities to achieve effective governance and sustainable economic outcomes, and
- the Treasury consultation paper titled 'Native Title, Indigenous Economic Development and Tax' seeking views on a range of tax options aimed at reducing complexity in tax rules for native title payments and supporting effective benefits management under native title agreements. Copies of the Treasury paper can be obtained at the Treasury Website.
A copy of the discussion paper is available here:
The Attorney-General's Department and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs held the following public consultation sessions:
- Brisbane on 12 July 2010.
- Sydney on 13 July 2010.
- Adelaide on 14 July 2010.
- Melbourne on 15 July 2010.
- Darwin on 3 November 2010.
- Perth on 4 November 2010.
- Canberra on 8 November 2010.
The Australian Government also sought written submissions from interested parties and the general public on the discussion paper. Submissions closed on 30 November 2010. The Government is considering its response to the feedback received through the consultation process.