VIETNAM VETERANS AND TRADITIONAL OWNERS SIGN PANDANUS PARK AGREEMENT

Vietnam veterans held a ceremony at Pandanus Park in Cape York today to celebrate the signing of a licence agreement giving them ongoing use of the area.

Mike Reynolds, MP, Speaker of Queensland, representing the Queensland Government, said the agreement between the veterans and the Kalpowar Aboriginal Land Trust was one of the first of its kind.

It gives a non-indigenous group land use, while still recognising the rights and responsibilities of the traditional owners.

"The State Government is delighted with the outcome of negotiations and is honoured to be taking part in the celebrations," Mr Reynolds said.

"This has been an incredibly long process, but by working together we have been able to achieve a really positive result," he said.

Mr Reynolds said an Indigenous Land Use Agreement had been drawn up between the State Government and the Kalpowar traditional owners in 2005.

"This agreement led to the establishment of a Land Trust, which in turn paved the way for an agreement between that Trust and the Vietnam veterans," he said.

"The State Government was then able to help the veterans establish their own Incorporated Body, which was necessary before the licensing arrangements could be finalised.

"The Department of Natural Resources and Water was able to contribute licensing fees and has agreed to provide a flagpole and toilet facility for the site.

“It also will deliver funding for an identification system that will assist the Land Trust to easily identify veterans and their invitees on Kalpowar land.”

Mr Reynolds, who represented the Minister for Natural Resources and Water, Craig Wallace, at the celebration, also will attend a Long Tan Day commemorative service at Pandanus Park tomorrow, Saturday, 18 August.

Mr Reynolds will officially present copies of the signed and bound licence documents to executives of both the Kalpowar Land Trust and Pandanus Park Inc.

Mr Wallace said: "Mike was part of the beginning of the negotiation process between the veterans and the Kalpowar people, so it is fitting that he is now in a position to officiate at the conclusion of negotiations."

Media inquiries: Mike Reynolds, available on 0147 140 771 or Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.