PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has welcomed the passing of the Native Title Legislation Amendment Act, saying it would provide stability for the resources industry.
MCA CEO Tania Constable on Wednesday said that the passage of the legislation completed a comprehensive three-year process to support a practical, equitable and stable native title system.
This process included extensive input from First Nations organisations across the two public consultation phases and Parliamentary committee inquiry into the Bill.
“The Act provides stability for industry by addressing uncertainty relating to certain Section 31 agreements following a 2017 Federal Court decision. Addressing uncertainty arising from this decision was broadly supported during an extensive consultation process,” Constable said.
“Other amendments act on recommendations from successive reviews by the Council of Australian Governments and the Australian Law Reform Commission. Supported by industry, these include a new public list of future Section 31 agreements to support meaningful transparency.”
Constable said that the minerals industry acknowledged the thorough approach taken by the Attorney-General’s Department and National Indigenous Australians Agency throughout a process of more than three years, including establishment of an expert technical advisory group.
“First Nations landholders and communities are a core partner for the minerals industry,” she added.