PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER 148/ 93
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER THE HON P J KEATING MP
NATIVE TITLE BILL GOVERNMENT AMENDMENTS
The Government this morning circulated a number of carefully considered proposed
amendments to the Native Title BUi.
The amendments have been prepared for several reasons:
I a number respond to the recommendations of the Senate Legal and
Constitutional Affairs Committee's report on the Bill
U a number respond to legitimate concerns put to the Government by Aboriginal
interests.
HI a number are merely technical improvements or clarifications.
TV importantly. other proposed amendments involve fine tuning of land
management processes arising from the Bill and in particular are designed to
make even clearer the certainty the Bill provides to economic interests and
other g~ rant holders, on such matters as renewal of pastoral and mining leases.
The proposed Government amendments take into account a wide range of views and
interests across all sectors of the community. They represent as does the Bill itself a
balanced package. They all improve the Bill.
The Opposition's strategy of blanket opposition to all Government amendments is
counter-productive and against the interests of all Australians, including industry
groups and Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.
The fact that the Opposition announced their strategy this morning. prior to circulation
of the Government amendments, proves that they are not prepared to consider theseamendments
and indeed the provisions of the legislation as a whole. on tneir mer-its.
Their approach sells out the very interests they claim to be representing.
CANBERRA December 1993