Queensland Government to deliver Indigenous freehold home ownership

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will have more opportunities to own a home, with new legislation introduced today delivering on a key Queensland Government election promise.

Premier Campbell Newman said new legislation would provide ordinary freehold land ownership opportunities for the first time since the first tenures were created over Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the 19^th century.

“This initiative will remove barriers to home ownership in freehold in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” Mr Newman said.

“Despite 20 years in office, the former Labor Government failed to deliver for Indigenous people, denying them an opportunity enjoyed by their fellow Queenslanders.

“These changes represent an important milestone for Indigenous Queenslanders. Not only will they give economic independence and opportunity, but also greater confidence to Indigenous communities.”

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land (Providing Freehold) and Other Legislation  Amendment Bill 2014 would give Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people the same property rights to the land enjoyed by other freehold property holders, which financial institutions can lend against.

“The Bill also simplifies the complex leasing arrangements that currently apply under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 and the Torres Strait Islander Land Act 1991 for non-residential leases,” Mr Cripps said.

“Simplified leasing requirements will allow trustees to more effectively manage land to achieve the best outcomes for local communities.

“Removing restrictions will provide greater opportunities for eligible community members to pursue social and economic development.”

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs Glen Elmes said the Bill provided the single biggest benefit the government could bestow on Indigenous Queenslanders, the opportunity to own their own home on their traditional lands.

“This Bill recognises the important connection with land for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and their right to own a home on that land,” Mr Elmes said.

“The Bill doesn’t force freehold on any community, it provides the power for communities which want freehold to be able to have it.

“We want to work with communities to identify what’s best for each one, and to what extent – if at all - freehold land can be made part of the community.

“The provision of freehold land isn’t a solution in itself, but is part of a wider strategy the Newman Government is implementing to address entrenched disadvantage within Indigenous communities.”

Mr Cripps said the freehold model took into account the unique features of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the potential issues introducing ordinary freehold title might create.

“Each community trustee, following appropriate consultation, will make the decision as to whether or not to adopt the freehold model,” he said.

“The trustee and community can decide whether to make the whole township, certain parts of the township or none of the township available for freeholding.”

The Department of Natural Resources and Mines undertook extensive consultation with councils, trustees and the general between November 2012 and February 2014, before introducing the Bill into Queensland Parliament.

[ENDS] 8 May 2014

Media contact: Premier – Katherine Hornbuckle 0402 862 351

Minister Cripps – Kate Haddan 0418 373 516

Minister Elmes – Peter McCarthy 0408 835 548