Media Statements: Statements

Native Title Ministers' Meeting

Antartis, Jill — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:35:56 GMT

Content:

Communique

Commonwealth, State and Territory Native Title Ministers met today in Perth for the first time since the Rudd Government took office.

The theme for the meeting was ‘Making native title work better’.

In a watershed atmosphere of accord, all Ministers joined together in agreeing that a flexible and less technical approach to native title was needed throughout Australia.

Ministers agreed that the backlog of native title claims and the time estimated to resolve them using current approaches are unacceptable.

But Ministers also agreed that legislative change is not a panacea. Ministers discussed the value of adopting broad and flexible processes to embracing the opportunities native title negotiations already offer under the existing legislative framework, in the interests of all stakeholders.

Ministers agreed it is the responsibility of all parties to adjust their attitudes and expectations. Ministers committed their Governments to taking a more flexible view of the ways to achieve the broad range of practical outcomes possible from native title processes — achieving real outcomes for Indigenous people and providing certainty for other land users.

Resolution of claims

Ministers agreed to establish a Joint Working Group on Indigenous Land Settlements to develop innovative policy options for progressing broader and regional native title settlements. It would seek to complement, not override existing processes in place for the negotiation of non‑technical and flexible native title settlements. The Working Group will comprise officers from all jurisdictions including the Commonwealth, and will report back to Ministers at the next Native Title Ministers Meeting.

Ministers recognised that blockages in settling native title claims hinder certainty for all parties and stymie the resolution of Indigenous land and development aspirations.

Despite this, Ministers acknowledged that the native title system has matured and evolved since its inception. The development of legal principles through over 15 years of case law, including a number of landmark decisions, and the shift towards negotiation over litigation, have led to a system with more certainty and with the potential for a broad range of outcomes.

Ministers committed to working proactively to resolving native title claims in their jurisdictions. Ministers agreed to establish and pursue jurisdiction-specific targets to benchmark progress.

Broader settlement packages

Ministers agreed that, in addition to native title determinations, the native title system can facilitate broader regional native title settlements comprising a range of practical benefits for Indigenous people. Native title provides opportunities to engage with Indigenous people to identify and agree on real opportunities and practical outcomes.

Ministers recognised that resolution of native title issues may or may not involve native title determinations; and that land justice and social justice outcomes can meet the needs and aspirations of this and future generations of Indigenous people.

Commonwealth financial assistance

The Commonwealth has previously offered States and Territories financial assistance to deal with native title compensation.

Ministers used this occasion to discuss the broad principles of the Commonwealth financial assistance and how it can facilitate State and Territory settlement of native title issues.

Ministers agreed to negotiate in good faith on the precise content of such an offer with a view to the Australian Government providing a draft agreement for signature by 30 June 2009.

Ministerial meetings

Recognising the importance of maintaining momentum and sharing insights into successful initiatives and strategies, Ministers agreed to meet each year to assess progress, and to discuss and agree upon action to be taken to resolve native title issues around Australia – faster and more effectively.

Ministers agreed regular meetings provide opportunities to share experiences in the development and operation of regional settlement initiatives, including matters of connection and extinguishment, and the scope of benefits packages and compensation.

Ministers agreed that they would meet in July each year.

Deputy Premier’s office – 9222 8788

Date: 18/07/2008

Minister: Ripper

Portfolio: Deputy Premier

Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Kimberley;Mid West;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Peel;Pilbara;South Eastern Suburbs;South West;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs;Wheatbelt

Deputy Premier applauds Federal recognition of native title in territorial seas

Antartis, Jill — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:20:29 GMT

Content:

A Federal Government decision to recognise native title in Australia’s modern territorial seas has been welcomed by Deputy Premier Eric Ripper.

Mr Ripper said the State Government had long supported the High Court’s ruling, that non-exclusive possession native title rights and interests could extend seaward to the 12 nautical mile limit.

“Unfortunately, this view did not find support with the Howard Government and this has severely impaired the State Government’s capacity to negotiate native title claims that include modern territorial seas,” he said.

“Today’s decision is a very positive step for Western Australia.

“Negotiations over three native title claims in the Kimberley region that stalled over this issue can now be progressed in a timely manner.

“It gives a clear indication that the Rudd Government is committed to recognising native title where possible and that it is prepared to remove some of the stumbling blocks that have created bottlenecks in the system.”

Native title law in relation to this matter was settled in 2001 with the handing down of the Croker Island High Court decision. That decision confirmed native title existed in all areas of the sea and sea-bed claimed, including small areas in the territorial seas.

The native title rights were found to be non-exclusive and were limited to non-commercial activities such as fishing for subsistence or cultural purposes, access to areas of sea, protecting places of cultural and spiritual knowledge, and safeguarding that knowledge.

The native title did not include a right to trade in resources of the sea.

Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers with responsibility for native title will all meet in Perth tomorrow.

Deputy Premier's office - 9222 8788

Date: 17/07/2008

Minister: Ripper

Portfolio: Deputy Premier

Deputy Premier leads Indian investment mission

Antartis, Jill — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:18:06 GMT

Content:

Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Eric Ripper will leave this week for a 12-day trade and investment visit to India, Western Australia’s fourth largest export partner.

The Deputy Premier will meet with Indian business and government leaders to promote and broaden WA’s relationship with India.

“India already has significant investments in WA and there has been growing interest in the resources industry as well as oil and gas exploration, in onshore and offshore areas,” Mr Ripper said.

“Visits such as this are important to help strengthen our trade and investment links with our major trading partners; and to encourage strategic investment into WA.

“It is also an opportunity to enhance bilateral relations with India and to explore future opportunities for collaboration.

“The Government recognises the growing importance of India as one of the world’s leading economies. India’s economy has been expanding at an average exceeding eight per cent in recent years and will be a growing market for our resources, energy and agricultural products.

“There are also increasing linkages in the knowledge-based industries such as ICT and biotechnology, which I hope to encourage and foster.”

During his visit, the Deputy Premier will meet key officials including the Minister for Steel, Chemicals and Fertilisers who invited him to India; Minister for Commerce and Industry; Minister for Mines; and the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Mr Ripper will also meet with leading Indian industrialists, leading banks and industry associations.

India is WA’s fourth largest export market with 2007 exports valued at more than $5billion. Western Australia currently accounts for 54.1 per cent of Australia’s exports to India.

This State has already attracted more than $1billion of investment from India, including the Burrup ammonium and ammonia nitrate plant, the Nifty copper mine and various investments in the agribusiness sector.

“WA’s two Trade and Investment Offices in India provide great support for the relations between WA and India,” the Deputy Premier said.

“The offices in Mumbai and Chennai facilitate Indian investments in WA, as well as business and cultural partnerships.”

One such successful partnership the trade office was instrumental in establishing was a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the WA Department of Industry and Resources, Department of Environment and Conservation and the WA Chamber of Mines with the Indian Department of Mines, Ministry of Forests and Environment, and the Federation of Indian Minerals Industries.

The MOU covers the exchange of environmental and mining management technologies.

“The MOU provides a perfect platform to further the relationship with India and a similar MOU is being considered with the Indian Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas,” Mr Ripper said.

“The trade office has also worked closely with Perth Education City and in the past year, WA has seen a 123 per cent increase in the number of Indian students.

“This is the first time WA has outperformed all States and has seen its overall market share increase from its low base of two to five per cent.”

Mr Ripper will leave Perth on July 5 and return on July 16. He will attend meetings in Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi.

Deputy Premier's office - 9222 8788

Date: 4/07/2008

Minister: Ripper

Portfolio: State Development;Deputy Premier

Region: Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Eastern Metropolitan;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs

Native title determination celebrates enduring culture.

Stratford, Pamela — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:32:58 GMT

Content:

Deputy Premier Eric Ripper has congratulated the Birriliburu people who will today celebrate their strong connection to country in a native title determination covering 66,593sq km of their Central Desert land.

“I offer my sincere congratulations to the Birriliburu people,” Mr Ripper said.

“This determination is a significant moment in their long history and I am delighted with this resolution.”

The Deputy Premier thanked Central Kimberley-Pilbara MLA Tom Stephens, a strong supporter of indigenous peoples’ native title rights, who represented the Government at the determination.

Mr Ripper said the Birriliburu people included some of the last indigenous Western Australians to make contact with non-indigenous people.

He said a 1977 expedition had brought elderly hunter-gatherer couple Warri and Yutungka in from the desert and it was their strong connection to country that had helped the Birriliburu people with their native title claim.

“The Birriliburu people’s enduring relationship with their traditional country has helped them meet the State’s guidelines for connection,” the Deputy Premier said.

“I congratulate them on having that relationship recognised through this native title determination.”

The Birriliburu people hold exclusive possession native title over the entire determination area, which falls within the Shires of Wiluna and Ngaanyatjarraku.

Under the Gallop/Carpenter Governments, there have been 15 native title determinations by consent.

In total, 23 determinations have resolved native title over about 31 per cent of WA’s landmass, equivalent to about 800,000sq.km.

Deputy Premier's Office - 9222 8788

Date: 20/06/2008

Minister: Ripper

Portfolio: Deputy Premier

Region: Pilbara

Australia’s largest recognised native title area finalised

Antartis, Jill — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:25:11 GMT

Content:

Today the people of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands had their native title recognised in a consent determination over the remaining 1,428sq.km of their Central Desert country.

The determination finalises native title over the claim area following the first Ngaanyatjarra Lands consent determination in June 2005 over a huge 167,756sq.km, the largest determined native title area in Australia.

Deputy Premier Eric Ripper congratulated the people of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands on once again being able to achieve their native title through agreement.

“Their willingness to negotiate sets a fine example for future native title claimants, not only in Western Australia but all over the country,” he said.

Traditional owners negotiated with the State, Shire of Laverton and claimants of overlapping and underlying claims to resolve issues over the 1428sq.km ‘Ngaanyatjarra Lands Part B’ area.

Native title holders will enjoy exclusive native title over most of their country and non-exclusive native title where the Warburton Range Stock Route runs through the area.

“Although this determination finalises recognition of native title, the State’s relationship with the traditional owners will continue to prosper through joint management commitments in the area,” Mr Ripper said.

Under the Gallop/Carpenter Government, there have been 14 native title determinations by consent.

In total, 22 determinations have resolved native title over about 28 per cent of WA’s landmass, equivalent to about 741,000sq.km.

Deputy Premier's office - 9222 8788

Date: 3/06/2008

Minister: Ripper

Portfolio: Deputy Premier

Indigenous Employment Forum begins today.

LANGROUP\AFongChan — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:31:13 GMT

Content:

30/11/07

A forum designed to find ways of engaging more indigenous Western Australians in employment begins in Perth today.

The Indigenous Employment Forum, announced by Premier Alan Carpenter in August, has attracted more than 170 people including Don Voelte from Woodside, Ian Ashby from BHP, Andrew Forrest from Fortescue Metals Group and Richard Goyder from Wesfarmers.

Big, medium and small employers from right across the economic spectrum, along with trainers, educators and employment agencies will also be represented.

Deputy Premier Eric Ripper said the key to addressing long-term disadvantage in indigenous communities was employment and engagement with the real economy.

“We want the forum to lead to real employment outcomes for as many people as we can provide for, either immediately or by way of opportunities which we can develop and follow up,” Mr Ripper said.

“At a time when we have a powering economy and virtually full employment in WA, we have an unacceptably large number of indigenous Western Australians who remain unemployed.

“The official figure is 14.3 per cent, but in some locations, I’m sure the real number is much higher than that.

“If there was ever a time we could do something about it, it is now.”

In recognition of the need for appropriate support and job readiness services, the Carpenter Government has recently committed almost $10million for the Indigenous Trade Training Package, which includes funding for job and training readiness support, mentoring and cross-cultural training in the workplace.

A total of $2million has also been committed for the provision of four mobile indigenous trades training units to service indigenous communities in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Central West and Goldfields regions.

An additional $3million will be spent on upgrading a range of TAFEWA infrastructure and equipment. This includes $2.4million to improve facilities at the Pilbara TAFE Karratha campus and for new buildings at the Broome and Kununurra campuses.

The forum is due to conclude about 1.30pm.

Deputy Premier's office - 9222 8788

Date: 30/11/2007

Minister: Ripper

Portfolio: Deputy Premier

Region: Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Eastern Metropolitan;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs;Kimberley;Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Mid West;Peel;Pilbara;South West;Wheatbelt;Goldfields;Regional Budget;Southern Western Suburbs;Southern Eastern Suburbs;Southern;All

Western Australia leads nation with 21st native title determination

LANGROUP\AFongChan — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:06:24 GMT

Content:

9/11/07

Deputy Premier Eric Ripper today welcomed Western Australia’s 21st native title determination.

The determination, over the largest claim in the Kimberley region, recognises that the Ngurrara claimants hold native title over about 76,000sq.km of land.

Mr Ripper said the determination, the 13th negotiated by the Gallop/Carpenter Government, put WA at the forefront of native title in Australia.

The Deputy Premier said the State Government’s approach to resolving native title through negotiation and agreement had been very successful.

“Working together with claimants, industry and other interested parties, native title has now been resolved over about 28 per cent of WA’s land mass, an area of more than 733,000sq.km,” he said.

“No other State comes close to this record.”

Mr Ripper said the Ngurrara determination recognised that the claimants held exclusive possession native title rights and interests over the majority of their claim, including areas of unallocated crown land.

A number of other reserves had been set aside to be determined at a later date.

The Deputy Premier said the claim, which was filed in the Federal Court more than 10 years ago, had actually taken less than a year to resolve once negotiations commenced.

“The outcome of these negotiations is the recognition, under Australian law, of the Ngurrara claimants’ strong connection to the land,” he said.

“It was evident from the material provided to the State Government in support of their claim, that the Ngurrara claimants had maintained their culture and many of their traditions are still practised today.”

Speaking at the on-country determination at Pirnini, near Kurlku outstation, Mr Ripper also acknowledged the work of more than 30 artists who were involved in painting the Ngurrara Canvas.

The canvas, which was presented to the National Native Title Tribunal in 1997, as evidence of the Ngurrara claimant’s connection to their land, was displayed at the determination.

Deputy Premier's office: 9222 8788

Date: 9/11/2007

Minister: Ripper

Portfolio: Deputy Premier

Region: Kimberley

Western Australians reminded to wind their clocks forward

LANGROUP\AFongChan — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:31:46 GMT

Content:

24/10/07

Deputy Premier Eric Ripper today reminded Western Australians that the second period of daylight saving would start this Sunday (October 28) at 2am.

Mr Ripper encouraged Western Australians to put their clocks forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.

He said the second daylight saving trial would end on March 30 next year.

“The daylight saving trial will continue for one more summer, with a referendum to be held no earlier than May 10 and no later than September 13, 2009,” the Deputy Premier said.

Daylight saving brings WA in line with most of the other Australian States and Territories and about 70 other countries around the world.

Mr Ripper said he was disappointed that calls for an early referendum had been made as some politicians wavered.

“Both houses of parliament, in a free vote, decided on a three-year trial for a good reason - we need more than a shortened trial to make a proper assessment,” he said.

“We are not even halfway through and there have already been attempts at tinkering with the trial period. We need to give it a fair go.”

The Deputy Premier said supporters and opponents would be given a chance to have a final say on daylight saving when the referendum was held in 2009.

For more information on daylight saving, visit the State Government website at http://www.wa.gov.au

Deputy Premier's office - 9222 8788

Date: 24/10/2007

Minister: Ripper

Portfolio: Deputy Premier

State Government recognises native title in Central Desert

LANGROUP\AFongChan — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:31:38 GMT

Content:

18/10/07

Native title has been recognised over more than 29,000 square kilometres of Central Desert land in Western Australia’s 14th consent determination.

Deputy Premier Eric Ripper today attended the Ngurrupa on-country native title determination, the fifth for the Central Desert region.

“The Ngurrupa agreement sets a benchmark for future native title determinations in WA,” Mr Ripper said.

“The application was filed in the Federal Court less than a year ago and agreement was reached quickly, illustrating what can be achieved when claimants and Government work together.”

The Deputy Premier acknowledged that the swift resolution of the claim was helped by the well-researched supporting evidence provided by the applicants.

“They provided evidence of a strong and vibrant system of law and custom that was present at sovereignty and is still evident today,” he said.

Mr Ripper said today’s determination recognised that the Ngurrupa people possessed exclusive native title rights and interests of more than 29,726 square kilometres of land in the Shires of East Pilbara and Halls Creek.

The determination area included two reserves for the use and benefit of Aboriginal inhabitants and the exploration interests of two resource companies.

Native title had now been determined for more than 38 per cent of Central Desert land, covering about 320,180 square kilometres.

Deputy Premier's office - 9222 8788

Date: 18/10/2007

Minister: Ripper

Portfolio: Deputy Premier

New Bill recognises indigenous interests in conservation areas

LANGROUP\AFongChan — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:31:22 GMT

Content:

26/9/07

A new Bill introduced in Parliament today recognises indigenous interests in two of the State’s largest conservation areas, the Ruddall River National Park and the Gibson Desert Nature Reserve (the Parks).

The Parks are located in the Central Desert region of Western Australia and cover about 31,265 square kilometres.

Deputy Premier Eric Ripper said the Indigenous Conservation Title Bill (ICT), if passed, would fulfil the State Government’s long-standing commitment to the Martu and Gibson Desert people to recognise their traditional ownership of the Parks.

“The current tenure of the Parks extinguishes the traditional owners’ native title rights and interests,” Mr Ripper said.

“Once extinguished, native title cannot normally be revived, however this unique form of freehold title provides an alternative path to recognition.

“It will allow for the cancellation of the existing Class A status attached to the Parks, so the land can be transferred to the traditional owners as conditional freehold.

“This means the Martu and Gibson Desert people will be able to maintain their social, economic and religious practices, as they have always done.

“However, conditions attached to the freehold mean these practices must be carried out in a way that protects the conservation values of the Parks. The conditions also protect public access rights, and prevent the land from being sold or mortgaged.

“Special protections that applied to the Parks by virtue of their Class A status will also be maintained.”

The ICT forms part of a larger package that includes an agreement for leaseback to the State Government and joint management between the Department of Conservation and the Environment and the traditional owners.

The package is intended to offset the State Government’s compensation liability for the extinguishment of native title within the Park boundaries.

Deputy Premier's office - 9222 8788

Date: 26/09/2007

Minister: Ripper

Portfolio: Deputy Premier