TEL: 1 . OCt .93 131 : M No F'
PRIME MINISTER 107/ 93
STATEMENT BY THEF PRTME MINISTER, THE BION PJ KEATING, MP
MABO NEGOTIATIONS
Reports this morning that the Federal Government has yielded to State pressure and
made significant concessions on the draft Mabo legislation are untrue.
The Commonwealth is still involved in discussions with the States but has already
Informed them that any proposals to water down the principles on which the legislation
has been based would be rejected.
Officials have not been instructed to " Set a deal with the States",-In fact, officials were
requested to tell the States that many of their proposals have been flatly refused,
although we are prepared to discuss others which do not water down the principles of
the legislation.
I have always said it would be preferable to get agreement with the States, in order to
achicve a national approach in dealing with native title, certainty of land management
and, importantly, justice for Aboriginal people.
But I have made it clear again this week that if the States do not accept our principles,
and the notion that any State processes to deal with native title must be established and
operated in accordance with our standards and guidelines, then the Commonwealth is
prepared to itself operate the system outlined in the legislation.
CANBERRA, I OCTOBER, 1993
Keating, Paul
Period of Service: 20/12/1991 - 11/03/1996
Find more information on Keating, Paul on the:
Release Date:
01/10/1993
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
8985
Document:
00008985.pdf
1 Page(s)
Released by:
- Keating, Paul John
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON PJ KEATING, MP MABO NEGOTIATIONS
8985