MELBOURNE—Aborigines could jointly manage crown land with the Victorian Government under proposed changes to native title laws.
Under the proposal, to be considered by the state cabinet, traditional owners could negotiate directly with the Government on land claims without pursuing their claims in court, The Age newspaper said.
The plan comes after it was found Victorian Aborigines were disadvantaged by Federal Government stipulations they must demonstrate a continuous connection to any land they claim.
Victorian Aborigines were disposessed many years ago, the report said.
The Native Title Act was introduced 15 years ago but only 1,725 square kilometres, or 0.75 per cent of Victorian land, had been claimed under native title, The Age said.
But public land occupies almost 8 million hectares.
If the changes are approved, aboriginal groups that could prove a traditional, if not continuous connection to, could sign agreements with the government to jointly manage crown land such as national parks, state forests or beaches, extending to three nautical miles offshore, The Age said.
Activities such as mining and major public works on jointly managed land would require traditional owners' consent and compensation before they went ahead.
Indigenous leader Mick Dodson said the reforms could resolve all native title claims in Victoria by 2020.
"It provides opportunities for economic development and creates a sound base for self-determination that will strengthen our culture and our communities," he said.
