PM Transcripts

A US rxI
PRIME MINISTER
MJR PRESS 9 FEBRUARY 1978
ABORIGINAL LAND RIGHTS IN
THE ALLIGATOR RIVERS REGION
The Government wishes to assure the Aboriginal people in the
Alligator Rivers Region that until their claims over land
in Stage II of the Region have been determined it will not
permit granting of mining interests over that land without their
prior consultation and agreement.
This assurance is, however, on the understanding that Aboriginal
claims in Stage II will be lodged as soon as practicable and
preferably not later than the end of this year. To this endthe
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs will have early discussions
with the Northern Land Council on the timing and extent of
the claims.
After the Aboriginal land claims have been determined the
Aboriginal Land Rights ( Northern Territory) Act would, of course,
apply including its consent provisions.
The Deputy Prime Minister has already announced that the Government
will direct the Administrator of the Northern Territory to
defer the granting of any mineral lease or exploration licence
in Stage II of the Region until the control procedures
have been finalised and Aboriginal claims over land to be claimed
have been determined.
The control procedures for Stage II will be finalised as soon as
possible and before there is any minerals exploration in the
area. The Government is also expediting the purchase of the
Mudginberri and Munmarlary pastoral leases in Stage II in order to
create an opportunity for Aboriginal land claims to be made
and determined.
Negotiations are at present taking place between the Northern
Land Council and the Ranger Joint Venturers. An early conclusion
of these negotiations is important. The Government will do
everything in its power to ensure that the Ranger Project
is developed as quickly as possible subject to meeting the
necessary contraints, social and environmental, and protecting
Aboriginal interests in accordance with the Government's
statements to Parliament on 25 August last year.