Author: tess.oloughlin

The Central Land Council has condemned the Territory government’s latest attempt to rush through ill-considered changes to laws that will threaten traditional owners’ rights and interests – without consulting them.

Late on Thursday afternoon the CLC executive members and representatives of the other NT land councils met with Minister Josh Burgoyne to find out about mooted amendments to the NT’s Sacred Sites Act.

“We asked for information, he gave us platitudes. He disrespected us and treated us like little children,” said CLC chair Warren Williams.

“He asked us to simply accept that the government’s intentions behind the changes are good. He wouldn’t give us any details about the changes or how they would work. All he had was empty talk. No wonder we are all very alarmed.”

“Do not believe him if he tries to pass off this cynical tick-a-box exercise as ‘consultation’ with the land councils.”

The CLC is concerned the government will rush the changes through parliament without leaving sufficient time for land councils to consult their membership.

“Sacred sites belong to us, not the government, and it should not change the law protecting our sites without consulting traditional owners and native title holders,” Mr Williams said.

“This is not how informed consent works.”

The CLC asked the minister for adequate time to consult with traditional owners about the proposed changes before they are rushed through the parliament.

“He refused to give us this commitment,” Mr Williams said.

“The government needs to stop this rushed process and take time to consult with the people whose culture will be affected by it.”

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The Central Land Council’s executive committee asked everyone to join them on a community march next week against domestic and family violence.

Meeting in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) today, the 11-member executive discussed the coroner’s report into the deaths of four Northern Territory Aboriginal women.

“These four women’s stories are a heartbreaking reminder of the ongoing violence against our women, who face alarming rates of domestic and family violence,” CLC chair Warren Williams said.

“We thank the coroner for her report and call on everyone to join us on Tuesday 10 December at the ‘End the Silence! Stop the Violence!’ march in Alice Springs.”

“This is a wake-up call for everyone. We must break the cycle of violence, starting with listening to Aboriginal women and taking their concerns seriously.

“Too many lives have been lost, and far too many families continue to live in fear. The time for action is now.”

In May this year the council urged the Northern Territory and Australian governments to:

  • Provide the NT with needs-based funding that is desperately needed for prevention and support programs.
  • Strengthen efforts to support the targets of the Closing the Gap National Agreement that align with reducing incarceration and improving safety.
  • Invest in culturally relevant and meaningful men’s healing programs that support breaking the cycle of violence.
  • Support place-based, community-led initiatives that ensure women’s and children’s safety so they can safely remain in their communities.

It also highlighted the vital role men play in breaking the cycle of violence.

“We encourage men to take responsibility for their actions, support one another in choosing non-violent paths, and stand together with women in creating safe and respectful communities,” said Mr Williams.

“We will continue to advocate for stronger protections for our women and children.

“Together, we can honour the memories of the victims by ensuring their tragic deaths lead to lasting change.”

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Eileen Bonney, the most senior surviving claimant to the land around a remote Northern Territory community, has welcomed the resolution of a 44-year old land claim “while I’m still living”.

Today the Australian Parliament passed the legislation that settles the claim at long last.

Ms Bonney has been waiting for this day since the Central Land Council first lodged the Wakaya Alyawarre Land Claim 42 in 1980.

Since then the traditional owners won back two small parcels of the original claim area and agreed to withdraw the Canteen Creek township area from the rest.

In order to settle what is now known as the Wakaya-Alyawarre (Repeat) Land Claim No. 130 they consented to an agreement between the CLC and the Northern Territory Government that surrenders native title rights to the township area known as Canteen Creek.

The Indigenous Land Use Agreement is the outcome of exhaustive consultations over many years and has the support of both the native title holders and residents of Canteen Creek.

The CLC’s elected members acknowledged the rigorous and inclusive decision making process by certifying the agreement on 30 October 2019.

The agreement grants ordinary freehold title to some parts of the town to an Aboriginal land holding body, the Canteen Creek Landholding Aboriginal Corporation.

Under the agreement, the NT government also supports the granting of the remainder of the claim area as Aboriginal freehold land under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976.

“I am happy to see this settled for my children and all our families,” Ms Bonney said.

“It’s happened at last. I’m still here. I was strong, now I got weaker. I’m still right.

“The traditional owners all wanted to get this done for a long time. Too many of us have died waiting for this day.”
Ms Bonney said the resolution of the claim means her daughters can move to their homeland near Canteen Creek.

She is looking forward to a handback ceremony in the new year.
The Wakaya-Alyawarre (Repeat) land claim is one of the CLC’s last two outstanding claims under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act.

During its 50-year history the council has won back more than half of the land in the southern half of the NT for its traditional owners, and its 14 Aboriginal ranger teams help them to manage the land.

Elke Wiesmann | 0417 877 579 | media@clc.org.au

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On Saturday, July 6, the WETT advisory committee won the education category, recognising nearly two decades of support across a range of partnerships and programs that align with Warlpiri education priorities in Yuendumu, Willowra, Nyirrpi, and Lajamanu.

The committee advises WETT on investing gold mining royalties in community-driven initiatives supporting education and training priorities in the four communities.

Maisie Kitson, a retired teacher of 40 years, has been on the WETT advisory committee for 19 years and is one of the strong Warlpiri women who founded the trust in 2005.

Ms Kitson accepted the award on behalf of her colleagues.

“And when we heard ‘Warlpiri Education and Training Trust,’ we all hugged. I was feeling happy and proud. And my tears were coming down,” she said.

Sharon Anderson, an educator from Lajamanu and member of the WETT advisory committee since 2007, accepted the award with Ms Kitson.

“It’s for WETT. It’s been a great achievement all those years of what we have been doing—all the work with the Kurra Directors, community members, and [project] partners. Everyone is getting involved in children’s education. It’s for all Warlpiri,” Ms Anderson said.

“I thought of the Elders, educators and founding [WETT] members who have been guiding us along our journey. And the four Warlpiri communities.”

Many of WETT’s founding members are still on the advisory committee today, and innovative measures are being taken to support new and younger members in joining the committee and growing into these important roles.

WETT is a Warlpiri-controlled and governed initiative administered through the CLC.

The WETT advisory committee, comprising four Warlpiri representatives from the four communities and one each from Newmont and the CLC, plays a crucial role in designing, planning, and monitoring WETT-funded initiatives. This committee meets three times a year and advises the directors of the Kurra Aboriginal Corporation, whose members are traditional owners of the mine site. The Kurra directors, guided by this advice, allocate funding to the WETT programs.

So far, WETT has invested more than $57 million to support Yapa (Warlpiri people) across its five education program areas:

  • Children and families
  • Language and culture in schools
  • Youth development
  • Secondary school support
  • Learning community centres

Contact: Tess O’Loughlin | 0461 396 054 | media@admin

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The members and staff of the Central Land Council are deeply saddened by the passing of the esteemed former Anindilyakwa Land Council chair, Mr T Wurramarrba AO.

“Mr Wurramarrba was a remarkable leader and advocate for his people,” CLC chief executive Les Turner said.

“His unwavering dedication to the Anindilyakwa community and his significant contributions to advancing the rights and interests of Indigenous people will always be remembered.

“Throughout his career, Mr Wurramarrba represented the Anindilyakwa people at all levels of government, always focusing on the future,” Mr Turner said.

Mr T Wurramarrba understood that a strong cultural foundation was essential to self-determination. He retired last month after many years of service to the Anindilyakwa people.

He was at the forefront of ALC’s biggest milestones, including the Groote Archipelago Local Decision-Making Agreement, the establishment of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation and the return of the Groote Eylandt township lease to community control.

Mr T Wurramarrba played important roles on several boards and committees including, Aboriginal Peak Organisation NT, Miwatj Health, and the MJD Foundation. He was also a valuable member of the former ABA Advisory Committee.

In 2013, Mr T Wurramarrba was honoured as an Officer of the Order of Australia for his exceptional service to the Indigenous community of the Groote Archipelago.

“Our thoughts are with Mr Wurramarrba’s family, friends and colleagues, especially those at the ALC,” CLC chair Matthew Palmer said.

“He was a great man who profoundly impacted the people of Groote Eylandt and the wider community. He will be remembered with immense respect and admiration.”

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The executive committee of the Central Land Council condemns yesterday’s senseless and shameful behaviour.

Meeting in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) today, the CLC executive called for the perpetrators of yesterday’s disturbance to be held to account.

“It is never ok to frighten residents and damage their property,” CLC chair Matthew Palmer said.

“They have disrespected the native title holders of Mparntwe who have made it very clear how they expect people to behave.”

“Young people should not take matters into their own hands but follow cultural leadership and authority.”

Deputy chair Warren Williams said the peacemakers deserve everybody’s support.

“We commend the Aboriginal leaders and the steps they have taken so far and who are trying to resolve the dispute peacefully.”

“Cultural processes are best dealt with on country, under the guidance of the elders and senior community leaders.”

The CLC will support community leaders to help families resolve the underlying disputes.

Contact: Tess O’Loughlin | 0461 396 054 | media@clc.org.au

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The Central Land Council applauds the unprecedented investment of $4 billion over 10 years in new houses in remote Northern Territory communities.

“Today’s announcement is a most welcome step towards significantly reducing overcrowding in our communities and I congratulate the prime minister for investing in our people,” CLC chief executive Les Turner said.

More than half of the NT’s Aboriginal people live in overcrowded houses. This funding boost will move us much closer to achieving the Closing the Gap target of 12 percent.

“This investment goes beyond building much-needed houses. It has the potential to contribute towards closing the gap in health, education, employment and social outcomes as well.”

“I look forward to considering the detail of the commitment and working with the NT and Commonwealth governments, Aboriginal Housing NT and the other land councils to develop a genuine 10-year partnership agreement.” Mr Turner said.

Today’s announcement will see up to 270 houses built every year for a decade, according to the prime minister.

Contact: Tess O’Loughlin | 0461 396 054 | media@clc.org.au

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The Central Land Council is mourning the passing of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG, who died peacefully on February 4 2024, at 91.

She was a proud Yankunytjatjara woman who devoted her life to advocating for and improving the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Dr O’Donoghue played a crucial role in drafting an agreement that laid the foundation for the Native Title Act and worked out the implications of the High Court’s Mabo decision.

According to former CLC Director David Ross, who led what is now the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation at the time, Dr O’Donoghue was known for her directness when dealing with then Prime Minister Paul Keating. She understood that the High Court had opened a door that could quickly close.

Dr O’Donoghue saw an opportunity to create Native Title laws that would change Australia, and she seized it.

“Dr O’Donoghue was a tenacious leader who opened many doors for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and we owe her a debt of gratitude because without her we wouldn’t have Native Title,” said Les Turner, CEO of the Central Land Council.

Born in remote South Australia, Dr O’Donoghue was a child of the stolen generation and was taken from her mother at just two years old.

It would take 33 years for her to reunite with her mother Lily. She was raised in a children’s home and received training as a domestic worker.

Her first achievement in a life dedicated to fighting for justice for Indigenous people was becoming the first Aboriginal nurse in South Australia.

Dr O’Donoghue accomplished many remarkable feats throughout her career. She was the founding chairperson for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, the first Aboriginal to address the United Nations General Assembly, and the first Aboriginal woman appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia.

The Central Land Council extends its deepest condolences to Dr O’Donoghue’s family and friends.

Contact: Tess O’Loughlin | 0461 396 054 | media@clc.org.au

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