PM Transcripts

PRESS STATEMENT NO. 21
December 1972
ABORIGINAL LAND RIGHTS
The Australian Government has decided to hold a judicial
inquiry as the first move towards the legal recognition of
Aboriginal rights in land.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Whitlam, announced the appointment
of Mr. Justice Woodward as the Commissioner to conduct the
inquiry. Mr. Justice Woodward's commission is not concerned with
whether rights in land should be granted since the government
has already decided that they shall.
His ta~ rk is simply to advise how they shall be granted.
He has been asked to report on:
oarrangements necessary in the Northern Territory for vesting
title to Aboriginal reserved land, including rights in
minerals and timber, in the Aboriginal groups and communities
concerned; procedures for the examination of claims based on t raditional
rights in the areas outside reserves or alternative ways of
meeting effectively the needs of Aboriginal communities outside
the reserves for land;
oamendments to legislation necessary to give effect to his
recommendations. The Commissioner has been advised that in preparing his
recommendations he should take into account already existing
commitments affecting the areas of land involved.
The precise terms of reference will be decided by the Minister
for Aboriginal Affairs and announced in due course.
The Government intends to refer subsequent matters involving
Aboriginalurights in or claims to land to Mr. Justice Woodward as
soon as the first stage of his commission is complete.