Antinuclear

Move to protect the $2bn indigenous land fund

$2bn indigenous land fund next on agenda THE AUSTRALIAN OCTOBER 27, 2014 1  Patricia Karvelas FRESH from a win against merging two indigenous economic bodies, Dawn Casey will lobby politicians to support a $2 billion “land account’’ to be managed by the Future Fund.

The Indigenous Land Corporation chairwoman wants the land account to be made more secure.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion confirmed last week that he did not intend to make changes, after commissioning an independent report that provided ambiguous recommendations and failed to back the government’s preferred option of amalgamation of the corporation and Indigenous Business Australia.

The move was a win for Dr Casey, who has lobbied strongly against an amalgamation and enlisted the support of Aboriginal leaders to call for the protection of the $2bn indigenous land account presided over by the land corporation……….. “……“In addition, we seek government support to broaden the current narrow investment parameters of the land account and allow the Future Fund to manage it so as to maximise the benefits available to indigenous Australians, particularly those whose native title rights have been extinguished over the past two centuries.

“The minister’s decision is sensible, as an amalgamation would have undermined the integrity of the land account, and diminished its status as a compensatory fund.

“However, the ILC continues to be concerned that the land account, established in the wake of the Native Title Act in recognition of indigenous dispossession associated with colonisation and settlement, continues to be at risk.”…….http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/bn-indigenous-land-fund-next-on-agenda/story-fn9hm1pm-1227102873877

October 26, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News