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 Croker and Les Schultz, Ngadju elder currently negotiating a green hydrogen project in WA. TWO DAY SYMPOSIUM: 9am-5pm, Thurs 21- Fri 22 July. Sessions open to media. PROGRAM. WHERE: Grand Hyatt, 123 Collins St, Melbourne. As the Albanese government commits to prioritising Australia’s renewables boom and enshrining a First Nations voice to Parliament, a two day symposium in Melbourne will today bring together First Nations communities, government, industry, unions and experts, to ensure First Nations...

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 Islander Community Controlled Organisations, was created following the destruction of the 46,000 year-old heritage site Juukan Gorge by Rio Tinto in May 2020. In releasing the report, Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek recommitted Labor to standalone laws for cultural heritage protection and a greater say for First Nations peoples in looking after country. Kado Muir, Ngalia Cultural and Community Leader and Co-Chair of the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance said it was...

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 opportunities. Supported by the Australian Government’s National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), this joint project tested pathways for co-developing the scientific base, First Nation’s knowledge, and business opportunity information needed to attract new investment. In doing this, the project showcased development-focused partnerships that span First Nation corporations, research institutions, industry sector expertise, and government enablement. Says Gundjitmara Djabwurrung man and NNTC CEO Jamie Lowe, “Grounded in local collaborations in North Queensland and Western Australia, this...

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 by ANU and supported by sponsors comprising the National Indigenous Australians Agency, the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, BHP and Wesfarmers, will be a landmark dialogue that seeks to take public policy on economic development for Australia’s First Nations people beyond government programs to building a true, self-determined, First Nations economy that leverages the assets and rights that continue to be reclaimed by First Nations people.  Those rights extend to land, inland waters,...

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 new website is a portal by which stakeholders can access relevant information and resources about the Alliance, our work and the opportunities for engagement. The work of the Alliance encompasses: Pursuing reforms to strengthen and modernise cultural heritage laws and policies Working with the investor and business sectors to positively influence the legislative reform process, and create tangible guides to engagement and best practice Building strong partnerships with first nations groups, governments, industry...

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 Burney becoming the first Aboriginal woman to be appointed Minister for Indigenous Affairs and with whom the NNTC and First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance (FNHPA) will work with closely. In looking at Labor’s two recently released policies: its “First Nations’ policy and ‘Commitment to First Nations Peoples’ there are a number of matters the NNTC supports, including implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart and progressing the National Agreement on Closing the Gap....

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 is recognised for driving the landmark decision of the High Court of Australia that overturned the legal doctrine of terra nullius (“nobody’s land”), that had previously characterised Australian law with regard to land and title. In honour of this historical occasion, Kaleb Mabo, a grandson of Koiki and Bonita Mabo and son of Gail Mabo is planning to restore Koiki’s traditional home and final resting place; Las Village on Mer (Murray) Island, the...

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, South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) Chair Brendan Moore stated, “The co-design process is important in preserving Country and identity.  For us it’s about having that voice, to try and make things better for our people to ensure we can protect our heritage.” With a clear understanding that Co-design is not simply about designing innovative services, products or policies, but prioritising the stories of those people that services, products or policies will...

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. An additional $2 million will also enable the National Native Title Council (NNTC) to expand the delivery of its PBC Operations and Management training, and develop a native title leadership program. NNTC CEO and Gundjitmara Djabwurrung man Jamie Lowe acknowledged the contribution saying “We welcome the budget measures as another step towards the self-determination of PBCs and their communities and thank the Minister for supporting the sector.” However, concern has been raised that...

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 Co-Design Workshop’. The gathering will focus on the implementation of the ACH Act; it’s associated guidelines, regulations and on-going review, and explore a credible, best practice co-design approach. For genuine co-design to be achieved, the workshop is an important first step in engaging with relevant stakeholders – including government and industry representatives, heritage professionals, and co-design experts – in an Aboriginal-led conversation about what ‘co-design’ truly is. Dr Christopher Kueh, an expert in co-design...

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 other stakeholders including industry and state governments on how to strengthen protections for Australia’s ancient and living Indigenous Cultural Heritage (ICH). Commonwealth protections for ICH are largely contained in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (ATSIHP Act). Introduced as an interim measure almost 40 years ago, it is yet to be replaced with more comprehensive legislation as originally intended. Says Cr Anne Dennis, Gamilaraay woman, elected Councillor for North...

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 legally forced to form a Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC)to hold their native title rights and interests.  To meaningfully exercise their right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) as endorsed by Australia in the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People, the National Native Title Council (NNTC) has long pushed for Prescribed Body Corporates (PBCs) to be adequately funded and resourced by the Commonwealth and states. “Supporting the development of a strong...