New laws to take native title claims out of courts

The Victorian Government has introduced legislation into Parliament that could take native title resolution out of the Federal Court.

The framework would allow Indigenous groups to settle with the Government out of court, if they drop current native title claims and agree not to lodge future claims.

The Co-chairman of Victorian Traditional Owner Justice Group Graham Atkinson says it will result in better economic development opportunities in Indigenous communities. "This is a groundbreaking reform for traditional owners in Victoria. It does allow groups to work in an agreement-making context rather than litigation," he said.

Read More at ABC Online

Young voters desert Lingiari electoral roll

The electorate with the highest percentage of Indigenous people in Australia has seen a plunge in the number of young people enrolled.

But Australian Electoral Commission figures show the number of 18- and 19-year-olds enrolled to vote in Lingiari has dropped by a third since the last election.There has also been a drop in the number of 20- to 24-year-olds enrolled.

The NIT reports that the drop in enrollments may be due to the Northern Territory Intervention.

Read more at ABC Online or read the related story at National Indigenous Times Online.

This page is updated regularly by ANTaR Volunteers. For more news, read the National Indignenous Times