This bill became law on Nov 29th, 2024.
Law, justice & rights
The law adds the Wakaya Alyawarre land near Canteen Creek to the list of Northern Territory land that can be formally granted as Aboriginal land.
Wakaya Alyawarre land covered by the Canteen Creek Area Indigenous Land Use AgreementThe 2020 agreement that dealt with native title rights over the Canteen Creek township area, but did not by itself finish the land grant process. was not listed in Schedule 1The list of land areas that are eligible to be granted as Aboriginal land under the Act. This bill adds the Wakaya Alyawarre land to that list., which left it unable to be granted as Aboriginal land. The bill adds that land to Schedule 1The list of land areas that are eligible to be granted as Aboriginal land under the Act. This bill adds the Wakaya Alyawarre land to that list. so it can be granted to an Aboriginal Land TrustThe legal body that can hold the land once it is granted. On this page, it is the vehicle for transferring the land into Aboriginal ownership. under the land rights law.
The Wakaya and Alyawarre Traditional OwnersThe Aboriginal people recognised as having longstanding connection and authority over the land. On this page, they are the Wakaya and Alyawarre people. had pursued recognition of their rights over land near Canteen Creek through claims lodged in 1980 and 1990, but the claim could not be completed because the land covered by the 2020 Canteen Creek Area Indigenous Land Use AgreementThe 2020 agreement that dealt with native title rights over the Canteen Creek township area, but did not by itself finish the land grant process. was still missing from Schedule 1The list of land areas that are eligible to be granted as Aboriginal land under the Act. This bill adds the Wakaya Alyawarre land to that list. of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976The main law this bill changes. It sets out how certain Northern Territory land can be granted as Aboriginal land.. The bill responded by adding about 484,000 hectares of that land to Schedule 1The list of land areas that are eligible to be granted as Aboriginal land under the Act. This bill adds the Wakaya Alyawarre land to that list. so it could be granted to an Aboriginal Land TrustThe legal body that can hold the land once it is granted. On this page, it is the vehicle for transferring the land into Aboriginal ownership., and after Parliament passed it in November 2024 the Act cleared the way to finalise the long-running claim.
The main criticism was not of returning the Wakaya Alyawarre land itself, but of pushing the bill through without committee scrutiny or a broader check of how the Northern Territory land rights system affects economic development and service delivery. Those concerns were raised by Coalition speakers who still backed the bill, so the criticism was narrow and mainly about review and process rather than the bill's core purpose.
Senator Katy Gallagher introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 29 Nov 2024
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
Members called out ‘aye’ or ‘no’ — no individual votes were recorded.
Passage speed
106 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
The law adds the Wakaya Alyawarre land near Canteen Creek to the list of Northern Territory land that can be formally granted as Aboriginal land.
The change lets this Northern Territory land be transferred to an Aboriginal Land TrustThe legal body that can hold the land once it is granted. On this page, it is the vehicle for transferring the land into Aboriginal ownership., giving it a legal path into Aboriginal ownership under the land rights law.
The change helps finish the long-running Wakaya Alyawarre land claim by enabling the land grant to an Aboriginal Land TrustThe legal body that can hold the land once it is granted. On this page, it is the vehicle for transferring the land into Aboriginal ownership..
The Bill adds an area of land that is detailed in the Canteen Creek Area Indigenous Land Use Agreement (Wakaya Alyawarre Land) to Schedule 1 of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 so that the Wakaya Alyawarre Land can be granted as Aboriginal land. The relevant land comprises approximately 484,000 hectares near Canteen Creek community, approximately 275km south east of Tennant Creek.Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment (Scheduling) explanatory memorandum
This Schedule adds a further parcel of Northern Territory land to Schedule 1 to the Land Rights Act. This will allow the land in question to be granted as Aboriginal land to an appropriate Aboriginal Land Trust under sections 10 and 12 of the Land Rights Act.Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment (Scheduling) explanatory memorandum
The Bill adds an area of land to Schedule 1 of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Land Rights Act), enabling the grant of land to an Aboriginal Land Trust and finalisation of the Wakaya Alyawarre (Repeat) Land Claim.Second reading speech
Context
The Wakaya and Alyawarre Traditional OwnersThe Aboriginal people recognised as having longstanding connection and authority over the land. On this page, they are the Wakaya and Alyawarre people. had pursued recognition of their rights over land near Canteen Creek through claims lodged in 1980 and 1990, but the claim could not be completed because the land covered by the 2020 Canteen Creek Area Indigenous Land Use AgreementThe 2020 agreement that dealt with native title rights over the Canteen Creek township area, but did not by itself finish the land grant process. was still missing from Schedule 1The list of land areas that are eligible to be granted as Aboriginal land under the Act. This bill adds the Wakaya Alyawarre land to that list. of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976The main law this bill changes. It sets out how certain Northern Territory land can be granted as Aboriginal land.. The bill responded by adding about 484,000 hectares of that land to Schedule 1The list of land areas that are eligible to be granted as Aboriginal land under the Act. This bill adds the Wakaya Alyawarre land to that list. so it could be granted to an Aboriginal Land TrustThe legal body that can hold the land once it is granted. On this page, it is the vehicle for transferring the land into Aboriginal ownership., and after Parliament passed it in November 2024 the Act cleared the way to finalise the long-running claim.
Earlier land claim is lodged over the Canteen Creek area
An earlier land claim covering this area was lodged in 1980, beginning the long process to secure Aboriginal land rights recognition.
Second reading speech ↗Wakaya Alyawarre (Repeat) Land ClaimThe later land claim that kept the push for recognition alive after an earlier claim had already covered the area. is lodged
A repeat claim lodged in 1990 kept the Wakaya Alyawarre claim alive after the earlier claim had already covered the same land.
Second reading speech ↗Canteen Creek Indigenous Land Use Agreement is entered into
The Northern Territory and the Central Land Council entered into an agreement that resolved native title rights and interests in the township area but still required a Commonwealth law change to complete the land grant.
Second reading speech ↗Government introduces the bill to add Wakaya Alyawarre land to Schedule 1The list of land areas that are eligible to be granted as Aboriginal land under the Act. This bill adds the Wakaya Alyawarre land to that list.
The bill was introduced to add about 484,000 hectares near Canteen Creek to Schedule 1The list of land areas that are eligible to be granted as Aboriginal land under the Act. This bill adds the Wakaya Alyawarre land to that list. so the land could be granted to an Aboriginal Land TrustThe legal body that can hold the land once it is granted. On this page, it is the vehicle for transferring the land into Aboriginal ownership. and the claim could be finalised.
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing the parliamentary step needed to amend the land rights schedule.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act. On this page, it removed the last legal barrier to the land grant. clears the way for the land grant
Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act. On this page, it removed the last legal barrier to the land grant. turned the bill into an Act, clearing the legal obstacle to granting the Wakaya Alyawarre land as Aboriginal land to an Aboriginal Land TrustThe legal body that can hold the land once it is granted. On this page, it is the vehicle for transferring the land into Aboriginal ownership..
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step. For this bill, the Federation Chamber reported back later the same day and the House then completed its remaining formal steps that day.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step. The official House record shows the referral out and return both happened on the same day, before the House moved to its final formal votes.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act. On this page, it removed the last legal barrier to the land grant., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was not of returning the Wakaya Alyawarre land itself, but of pushing the bill through without committee scrutiny or a broader check of how the Northern Territory land rights system affects economic development and service delivery. Those concerns were raised by Coalition speakers who still backed the bill, so the criticism was narrow and mainly about review and process rather than the bill's core purpose.
No party represented in the debate opposed the bill itself.
Lack of committee scrutiny and broader review
Coalition speakers argued the bill should have been examined by a parliamentary committee and used as part of a wider review of the Aboriginal land rights framework, including whether land councils help or hinder economic development and practical outcomes in the Northern Territory.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Gallagher supports the bill and says it will add land to Schedule 1The list of land areas that are eligible to be granted as Aboriginal land under the Act. This bill adds the Wakaya Alyawarre land to that list. so the Wakaya Alyawarre land claim can be finalised and Aboriginal land granted.
Read in Hansard ↗Price says the coalition supports the bill because it will resolve the Canteen Creek land claim and give the Northern Territory certainty for future services and development.
Read in Hansard ↗Perrett supports the bill and says it should pass because it finalises the Canteen Creek land claim and gives the Wakaya Alyawarre traditional ownersThe Aboriginal people recognised as having longstanding connection and authority over the land. On this page, they are the Wakaya and Alyawarre people. greater certainty over their land.
Read in Hansard ↗Chester says the coalition will support the bill because it settles the Canteen Creek land claim and would provide certainty, but he criticises the government for refusing to send it to a committee.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
4 speakers · 4 support
“I rise in support of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment (Scheduling) Bill 2024. I'd like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the former minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, who moved this matter forward, and the new minister, the marvellous Minister McCarthy, who is progressing the legislative amendments. At the heart of this bill is Labor's recognition and ongoing support of the rights of First Nations people to own and control their traditional lands. At the heart of this whole piece of legislation is recognising history, recognising truth, recognising facts.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill paves the way for finalisation of the longstanding Aboriginal land claim. I commend the bill to the Chamber.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Bill adds an area of land to Schedule 1 of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Land Rights Act), enabling the grant of land to an Aboriginal Land Trust and finalisation of the Wakaya Alyawarre (Repeat) Land Claim.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill paves the way for the finalisation of the longstanding Aboriginal land claim, and I proudly commend this bill to the Senate.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 2 support
“The coalition is supportive of this bill. The initial agreement was between the Central Land Council and the Labor Northern Territory government. Following the recent election in the Northern Territory, we have consulted with the new government in relation to this proposal. They are supportive of this bill being passed. When I last rose to speak on this bill I noted the existence of exploration licences for petroleum and minerals which existed over this land. Since then, the Northern Territory government has advised that, if passed, the bill would not have any impact on pastoral interests. Further, it poses no issue for mining or energy interests.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The truth is that opportunity abounds in the Northern Territory, and that opportunity should be used, and could be used, to improve the situation of the most marginalised Indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory, who live in highly disadvantaged areas at a greater rate than those in other parts of the country. But the Albanese government shut the chance of that down when it refused to refer this bill to a committee. Therefore, while the coalition does support this motion, we feel it is necessary to have highlighted these points about the need for the land rights act to be revisited as a matter of urgency for the sake of our most marginalised Indigenous Australians.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act. On this page, it removed the last legal barrier to the land grant., turning the bill into an Act.
