PM Transcripts

F76/ 177 13
_,, AUSTRALIAL
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS AUGUST 24, 1976
ABORIGINAL LAND RIGHTS ( NORTHERN TERRITORY) BILL 1976
The Defence Force Ombudsman, Mr David Hay, has been asked
to analyse the written representations received by the
Government on the Aboriginal Land Rights ( Northern Territory)
Bill 1976, which was presented to the Parliament on 4 June 1976.
In his Second Reading' Speech, the Minister for Aboriginal
Affairs said that the Government intended that the Bill should be
available for public scrutiny by the Aboriginal people and others
in the Northern Territory and elsewhere, before it was debated
further in the House. Mr Viner said that all representations
would be taken into account in arriving at the final form of
the legislation.
Mr Hay will not receive representations direct but will be
given copies of all representations to the Minister for Aboriginal
Affairs and other Ministers.
Mr Hay has been asked to report on them no later than the end
of September. Further debate on the Bill will not be deferred
any longer than necessary and the Government is anxious to
secure the Bill's passage during the Budget Session.