Qld: Statewide native title deal close

AAP General News (Australia)
08-07-2001
Qld: Statewide native title deal close

BRISBANE, Aug 7 AAP - The Queensland government is close to reaching an agreement that
will clear a backlog of 1,200 mining exploration permits.

Premier Peter Beattie today announced a state-wide framework to process the applications
had cleared its first hurdle - endorsement from the Queensland Indigenous Working Group.

Mr Beattie said the framework faced several more hurdles, including endorsement by
native title representative bodies.

He said if endorsed by those groups, the framework would form the basis of area agreements,
or Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs), which could be registered with the National
Native Title Tribunal.

"Although registration of the ILUAs will take a further period of at least three months,
as required under commonwealth law, there is nothing to stop explorers from starting discussions
with indigenous communities once the agreements are signed," Mr Beattie told state parliament.

"This framework provides a basis for processing all 1,200 backlogged exploration permits
within a 12-month time frame, once agreements are registered.

"It also has the potential to be used for future permit applications."

Mr Beattie said mining exploration companies could use the framework to bypass federal
native title laws.

"The process allows a constructive relationship to be established between the explorer
and the native title party that will facilitate any future right to negotiate process
for a mining lease if a resource is discovered," he said.

Mr Beattie said the ILUAs would set out compensation to native title groups for exploration
work and dispute resolution procedures.

AAP bja/sc

KEYWORD: TITLE QLD

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