DARWIN: The Northern Territory Government is to make an offer to
Aboriginal land councils and the Federal Government to settle all
outstanding Aboriginal land claims in the Territory.
The offer represents a major change of approach for the Northern
Territory Government, which has frequently opposed land claims
through the court system.
Announcing the offer yesterday, the Chief Minister, Marshall
Perron, said he wanted to avoid a highly protracted settlement of
the remaining claims.
The right to claim land under the Aboriginal Land Rights
(Northern Territory) Act ends in 1997, he said.
Me Perron's offer coincides with his announcement last week to
create a new ministry to deal with Aboriginal issues.
"We want to provide the land councils with the opportunity to
quickly meet the legitimate aspirations for land of traditional
owners whose cases have not been heard," Mr Perron said.
The federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Robert Tickner,
said he welcomed the move.
"It should have happened a long time ago," he said.
[_Canberra Times_ 27/11/92, p.16]