Land Holding Bill re-introduced into Queensland Parliament
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Holding Bill was re-introduced into the Queensland Parliament on 21 August 2012 by the Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps . The Bill primarily addresses longstanding lease issues arising from the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (Land Holding) Act 1985, which will be repealed. The Bill introduces a new Act with the capability to finalise leasing matters outstanding under the repealed Act and which aligns with the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 and the Torres Strait Islander Land Act 1991 (now the principal legislation for leasing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land). The Department of Environment and Resource Management claim “the Bill protects and continues leases and lease entitlements under the repealed Act and provides a number of mechanisms to facilitate resolution of outstanding issues by agreement.”