Antinuclear

Draft native title welcomed by Noongar elders

Noongar elders emotional as draft native title bill tabled in Parliament. ABC News, By Stephanie Dalzell, 26 FEB 14, ,A draft bill officially recognising the Noongar people as traditional owners of South West land has been tabled in Parliament.

It follows a deal offered in July to resolve a long-running native title dispute.

As it was tabled, 79-year-old Janet Hayden wept.

For her, the bill means a decades-long battle for recognition has finally ended.”It’s a total relief because we’re walking in these doors here, and walking out, and something’s been done,” she said.

Under the $1.3 billion offer, $600 million will be paid into the Noongar Boodja Trust in instalments over 12 years.

Up to 320,000 hectares of Crown land will also be transferred to the trust in multiple parcels, and new programs will be established to assist economic, housing and community development……http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-26/draft-noongar-native-title-bill-tabled/5286320

February 27, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News