Aboriginal land councils in the Northern Territory

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Aboriginal land councils in the Northern Territory are representative bodies known as land councils, covering four areas of Aboriginal self-governance in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Contents

Land councils

There are four land councils in the Northern Territory: [1]

History

The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 established the basis upon which Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory could, for the first time, claim rights to land based on traditional occupation. In effect it allowed title to be transferred for most of the Aboriginal reserve lands and the opportunity to claim other land not owned, leased or being used by someone else. [6]

The land councils are representative bodies with statutory authority under the Act. They also have responsibilities under the Native Title Act 1993 and the Pastoral Land Act 1992.

The are administered through distribution of 40% of the annual royalties collected as part of the Aboriginals Benefit Account. [7]

The Northern Territory Emergency Response provided for the Commonwealth Government to compulsorily acquire five-year leases of townships currently held under the title provisions of the Native Title Act 1993, though with compensation on a basis other than just terms. [8]

See also

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References

  1. Government, Northern Territory (24 May 2022). "Land council roles and contacts". nt.gov.au. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  2. "About Us". Anindilyakwa Land Council. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  3. "Who we are". Central Land Council. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  4. "About Us | Northern Land Council NLC". www.nlc.org.au. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  5. "Tiwi Land Council | TLC History". www.tiwilandcouncil.com. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  6. "Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976". Federal Register of Legislation. Australian Government. 16 December 1976. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  7. "Audit Report - Northern Territory Land Councils and the Aboriginals Benefit Account". web.archive.org. 17 July 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  8. "Social Justice Report 2007 - Chapter 3: The Northern Territory 'Emergency Response' intervention | Australian Human Rights Commission". humanrights.gov.au. Retrieved 11 September 2024.