The Prime Minister released the following statement to the media on
8 May 1997, updating the original 10 Point Plan released on 1 May 1997.
AMENDED WIK 10 POINT PLAN
I release the amended 10 point plan, which includes the wording change I discussed
with Mr Fischer and Mr McDonald on Tuesday.
Mr Fischer and I met today and agreed that the attached document reflected the
understanding reached on Tuesday.
The only amendment is at the end of point two.
This change, which makes no difference to the substance of the plan, confirms
that a pastoral lease conferring exclusive possession would extinguish native title.
This in fact reflects the common law as expressed by the High Court in the Wik decision.
The comments made on radio earlier today by the Chairman of the Reconciliation
Council, Mr Pat Dodson, were both intemperate and inaccurate. They did nothing for
the cause of reconciliation.
At all stages I have been candid and direct with indigenous leaders over the native
title issue.
From the very beginning, I said it was simply not possible for the state of the
law immediately post-Wik to be maintained. I have never denied that major changes
to the right to negotiate were essential.
Indigenous leaders have repeatedly been told by me that pastoralists and farmers
must be guaranteed the right to carry on their normal day to day activities without
fear of interference or hindrance.
My aim has always been to strike a fair balance between respect for native title
and security for pastoralists, farmers and miners.
That is one reason why I staunchly oppose blanket extinguishment of native title
on pastoral leaseholds.
The fact is that the Wik decision pushed the pendulum too far in the Aboriginal
direction. The 10 point plan will return the pendulum to the centre.
KEY LEGISLATIVE ELEMENTS OF THE PACKAGE
1. Validation of acts/grants between 1/1/94 and 23/12/96
Legislative action will be taken to ensure that the validity of any acts or grants
made in relation to non-vacant crown land in the period between passage of the Native
Title Act and the Wik decision is put beyond doubt.
2. Confirmation of extinguishment of native title on 'exclusive' tenures
States and Territories would be able to confirm that 'exclusive' tenures such
as freehold, residential, commercial and public works in existence on or before 1
January 1994 extinguish native title. Agricultural leases would also be covered to
the extent that it can reasonably be said that by reason of the grant or the nature
of the permitted use of the land, exclusive possession must have been intended. Any
current or former pastoral lease conferring exclusive possession would also be included.
3. Provision of government services
Impediments to the provision of government services in relation to land on which
native title may exist would be removed.
4. Native title and pastoral leases
As provided in the Wik decision, native title rights over current or former pastoral
leases and any agricultural leases not covered under 2 above would be permanently
extinguished to the extent that those rights are inconsistent with those of the pastoralist.
All activities pursuant to, or incidental to, 'primary production' would be allowed
on pastoral leases including farmstay tourism, even if native title exists, provided
the dominant purpose of the use of the land is primary production. However, future
government action such as the upgrading of title to perpetual or 'exclusive' leases
or freehold, would necessitate the acquisition of any native title rights proven
to exist and the application of the regime described in 7 below (except where this
is unnecessary because the pastoralist has an existing legally enforceable right
to upgrade).
5. Statutory access rights
Where registered claimants can demonstrate that they currently have physical access
to pastoral lease land, their continued access will be legislatively confirmed until
the native title claim is determined. This would not affect existing access rights
established by state or territory legislation.
6. Future mining activity
- For mining on vacant crown land there would be a higher registration test for
claimants seeking the right to negotiate, no negotiations on exploration, and only
one right to negotiate per project. As currently provided in the NTA, states and
territories would be able to put in place alternative regimes with similar right
to negotiate provisions.
- For mining on other 'non-exclusive' tenures such as current or former pastoral
leasehold land and national parks, the right to negotiate would continue to apply
in a state or territory unless and until that state or territory provided a statutory
regime acceptable to the Commonwealth which included procedural rights at least equivalent
to other parties with an interest in the land (e.g. the holder of the pastoral lease)
and compensation which can take account of the nature of coexisting native title
rights (where they are proven to exist).
7. Future government and commercial development
- On vacant crown land outside towns and cities there would be a higher registration
test to access the right to negotiate, but the right to negotiate would be removed
in relation to the acquisition of native title rights for third parties for the purpose
of government-type infrastructure. As currently provided in the NTA, states and territories
would be able to put in place alternative regimes with similar right to negotiate
provisions.
- For compulsory acquisition of native title rights on other 'non-exclusive' tenures
such as current or former pastoral leasehold land and national parks, the right to
negotiate would continue to apply in a state or territory unless and until that state
or territory provided a statutory regime acceptable to the Commonwealth which included
procedural rights at least equivalent to other parties with an interest in the land
(e.g. the holder of the pastoral lease) and compensation which can take account of
the nature of co-existing native title rights (where they are proven to exist).
- The right to negotiate would be removed in relation to the acquisition of land
for third parties in towns and cities, although native title holders would gain the
same procedural and compensation rights as other landholders.
- Future actions for the management of any existing national park or forest reserve
would be allowed.
- A regime to authorise activities such as the taking of timber or gravel on pastoral
leases, would be provided.
8. Management of water resources and airspace
The ability of governments to regulate and manage surface and subsurface water,
off-shore resources and airspace, and the rights of those with interests under any
such regulatory or management regime would be put beyond doubt.
9. Management of claims
- In relation to new and existing native title claims, there would be a higher
registration test to access the right to negotiate, amendments to speed up handling
of claims, and measures to encourage the States to manage claims within their own
systems.
- A sunset clause within which new claims would have to be made would be introduced.
10. Agreements
Measures would be introduced to facilitate the negotiation of voluntary but binding
agreements as an alternative to more formal native title machinery.
DEFINITION OF 'PRIMARY PRODUCTION'
Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 - section 6:
'primary production' means production resulting directly from -
(a) the cultivation of land;
(b) the maintenance of animals or poultry for the purpose of selling
them or their bodily produce, including natural increase;
(c) fishing operations;
(d) forest operations; or
(e) horticulture;
and includes the manufacture of dairy produce by the person who
produced the raw material used in that manufacture.
