Tasmanian govt shelves land act changes

The Tasmanian State Government has shelved proposed changes to the legislation that governs the return of Aboriginal land.

The government had intended to introduce a bill to amend the Aboriginal Lands Act to parliament early this year, but it never happened.

A review of the Aboriginal Lands Act was undertaken in 2018 before a consultation paper was released two years ago.

The amendments included giving power to local Indigenous groups to manage land, which is currently controlled by the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania.

Election processes to the land council were also proposed. The proposed changes had a divisive effect, splitting the community.

“The Aboriginal Lands Amendment Bill will not progress at this stage as we seek to gain consensus across the parliament and Aboriginal people,” a spokesperson for the State Government said.

“There is continued and significant differences of opinion and as a result the bill will not be introduced unless we can secure consensus across the parliament and amongst Tasmanian Aboriginal people.”