Court ruling welcomed by economic alliance

First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance Chairman Professor Peter Yu has welcomed the landmark High Court ruling that affirms the Gumatj clan’s right to seek compensation for historic property acquisitions.

The High Court dismissed the Commonwealth’s appeal, confirming that native title holders in the Northern Territory deserve the same constitutional protections as all Australians when their land is acquired by the government.

“This decision honours the legacy of the late Dr. Yunupingu, whose courageous leadership through decades of legal battles has finally secured justice for his people,” Professor Yu said.

The Gumatj struggle represents a cornerstone in Indigenous rights history—from the iconic Yirrkala Bark Petition to the 1971 Gove land rights case that helped shape the 1976 Northern Territory Aboriginal Land Rights Act and influenced the groundbreaking 1992 Mabo decision.

While the Federal Court will now determine specific compensation, this ruling highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive national settlement process rather than forcing Indigenous communities through protracted and costly litigation to secure what is rightfully theirs.