Legislation resolves longstanding NT land claim

By PETER ROWE

The Federal Government has passed legislation that will enable the finalisation of the long-standing Wakaya Alyawarre land claim in the Barkly region of the Northern Territory.

The amendment to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Land Rights Act) will allow Traditional Owners to be granted more than 484,000 hectares of land, located approximately 275km south-east of Tennant Creek.

“The passage of this legislation demonstrates our Government’s commitment to progressing unresolved land claims in the Northern Territory and increasing First Nations rights and interests in land and sea Country,” Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy said.

“This legislation recognises the enduring connection of the people of Wakaya and Alyawarre groups with the land associated with Emu Dreaming and many other Dreamings.”

The first land claim over the area was lodged in 1980.

In the more than four decades since then, Traditional Owners have fought to have rights to this land recognised under the Land Rights Act.

During that time, many of the Traditional Owners who lodged the original claim have passed away.

The legislation gives effect to an agreement made by the Central Land Council and the Northern Territory Government and is supported by Traditional Owners.