A new era for the ALRA The Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation and other changes
11 July 2022
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11 July 2022
On 1 December 2021, the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment (Economic Empowerment) Bill 2021 (Cth) (Bill) was passed, bringing about significant changes to the scope and operation of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (ALRA).
The Federal Government worked closely with the Northern Territory Land Councils to create a package of generational reforms to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (ALRA). These changes leave untouched the core historic aspects of the statute such as the grant of Aboriginal freehold tenures to land trusts. However, they introduce innovative approaches directed at goals around self-determination.
According to the Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, these are the "the most far-reaching set of reforms to the land rights act since it was enacted in 1976—and almost 55 years to the day after the Wave Hill walk-off in 1966."
The most significant aspect of the reforms is the establishment of a new, Aboriginal-controlled body called the Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation (NTAI Corporation).
Currently, the Minister for Indigenous Australians is responsible for approving beneficial payments from the Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA) on the advice of the ABA Advisory Committee.
The ABA was established by the ALRA to receive and distribute the funds equivalent to the royalties generated from mining on Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory.
The ABA currently provides for operational funding for Land Councils, payments for traditional owners and other Aboriginal people affected by mining operations, funding for township leasing, administration of the ABA, and payments for the benefit of Aboriginal people living in the NT (beneficial payments). The funds in the ABA have grown significantly over the last couple of years as a result of increased mining activity on Aboriginal land and it currently holds $1.3 billion in royalty equivalents.
The NTAI Corporation will replace the current beneficial payments process, putting funding decisions squarely in the hands of Aboriginal people. The new corporation will be led by a board of eight Aboriginal representatives from the Northern Territory, two government-appointed directors, and two independent directors, who will be appointed by the board.
The NTAI Corporation will receive an initial $500 million endowment from the ABA, $60 million per year during the first three years of its operation and subsequent funding each year.
With these assets the new corporation will be a significant new driver of economic investment in the Northern Territory.
To hold the NTAI Corporation accountable at the local level, its investment priorities will be set out in a strategic investment plan based on consultations with Aboriginal people and organisations in the Northern Territory and tabled in the Parliament.
While the provisions formally establishing the NTAI Corporation will not commence until 13 December 2022, the provisions supporting transitional arrangements, including the appointment of an interim board (and most of the other changes to the Act), commenced on 14 December 2021.
The reforms are designed to streamline arrangements for exploration and mining on Aboriginal land, while protecting the interests of traditional Aboriginal owners.
The changes will:
Importantly, the Bill leaves untouched traditional owners’ right to refuse exploration proposals on Aboriginal land. This powerful ‘veto’ right, and other rights under the ALRA, promote self-determination by ensuring traditional owners in the NT have a significant say in proposals and developments on Aboriginal land.
The final component of these reforms is a package of sensible and practical land administration amendments.
The promise of significant financial investment and significant Aboriginal ownership suggests an exciting future for the NTAI Corporation and its progress should be closely watched. However, the Northern Territory is a notoriously difficult space for project development and as a new player on the investment scene, we expect it will take some time to see this promise translate into measurable results for the NTAI Corporation. In the meantime, though, the practical reforms to the Act will have an immediate, positive impact on stakeholders involved with the administration of Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory.
The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to.
Readers should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.
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