NT:Elders fight to set up new land council

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2011
NT:Elders fight to set up new land council

DARWIN, April 20 AAP - The federal Aboriginal land commissioner will examine an application
from elders in the Katherine region to establish a new land council in the Northern Territory.

Traditional owners from several major clan groups in the region earlier this year asked
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin for permission to break from the Northern Land
Council (NLC).

They claim the NLC is stifling their attempts to establish businesses on their land,
about 300km south of Darwin.

In a statement released late on Tuesday, Ms Macklin said she had referred the request
to Aboriginal Land Commissioner Howard Olney for assessment.

"Under the provisions of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976,
I am required to make a decision on whether or not I support the establishment of this
new land council," Ms Macklin said.

She said Mr Olney's inquiry would help her make a decision about the application to
form the Katherine Regional Land Council.

"The Commissioner has been asked to consult with stakeholders, make related enquiries
and provide me with a report by July 31, 2011."

Interested parties will be able to view the report and make submissions.

Ms Macklin said land councils had significant statutory responsibilities, and that
it was essential she have access to a rigorous and transparent assessment of the proposal.

If Ms Macklin and Mr Olney support the establishment of a new land council, the matter
will then be referred to the Australian Electoral Commission and will require at least
55 per cent of the local community's support to go ahead.

AAP lcs/apm

KEYWORD: COUNCIL

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