Reconciliation separate from Mabo, say Libs
by Paul Chamberlin
Canberra: The Federal Opposition has dismissed the tying of
Aboriginal reconciliation to the Mabo decision, and has stuck
to the ambit of the original High court decision.
The Coalition has also stopped short of an unequivocal
recognition of Aboriginal native title, stating it was yet to
be determined how it could be translated to mainland
Australia.
The Opposition released yesterday a 16-page issues paper by a
Mabo sub-committee headed by Opposition Leader, Dr Hewson.
The paper, which was unanimously supported by all members of
the committee, was released on the same day as the Queensland
Coalition Leader, Mr Rob Borbidge, attacked Dr Hewson for his
tardiness in responding to Mabo.
The paper has a strong pro-development stance, with the aim of
ending what Dr Hewson called the "massive uncertainty" facing
Australia. It is expected to be applauded by industry.
The position squares the Coalition off against the Government
and the views of many Aborigines, who want reconciliation with
blacks to be an integral part of the Mabo process.
Dr Hewson said last night that reconciliation "confounds"
Mabo. Because few Aborigines would benefit from Mabo, it was
unlikely it could be used as a basis for long-term
reconciliation.
If it was not resolved, Mabo would remain a potentially
damaging issue in the investment climate and a divisive issue
for the nation, he said.
Like many areas of concern over Mabo, the Coalition's paper
fails to resolve the question of compensation.
But if it is to be paid to blacks for native title unfairly
extinguished since 1975, then the Commonwealth and the States
should pay on a shared basis, it says. None of the costs
should be passed on to industry.
Dr Hewson said the overriding objective of any Mabo solution
was to secure existing land titles. These titles had been
acquired in good faith, and should not be threatened or not
renewed because of the decision.
All Australians must be treated equally under the law, and a
resolution "should not compromise jobs, the economic use of
the land, or further development of Australia's mineral,
pastoral or other industries", he said.
Existing mineral rights should be protected, as should
existing access by industry to minerals.
These key points run contrary to a proposal by the Government
that Aborigines should have a "special veto" over projects on
land granted native title, because of their special attachment
to the land.
On native title, Dr Hewson said that up to this point it had
only been proven for Murray Island, or Mer in Torres Strait,
in the landmark case brought by the late Mr Eddie Mabo.
"Whether, how, where and in what form it will translate in
other circumstances is, as yet, unspecified and undetermined,"
he said.
This decision not to clearly recognise native title appears to
be a sop to some members of the committee, such as the
Opposition spokesman for national development, Mr Ian
McLachlan, who has called it "unworkable".
A fair and efficient procedure was needed to determine whether
or not native title could be claimed, although the committee
did not decide what form it should take.
However, it should deal quickly with claims, be acceptable to
the States, not retard national development and not allow the
management of Aboriginal land to be placed in the hands of any
council, organisation or trust without the express consent of
the blacks themselves.
If native title was claimed and won over towns and public
areas, such as parks, gardens, foreshores, beaches and the
beds and banks of rivers, existing access and use rights for
the public must be maintained.
The Opposition has said it remains a strong supporter of the
reconciliation process at a community level, such as improving
black literacy rates, health and housing.
Dr hewson attacked the Prime Minister for failing to produce a
co-ordinated response to Mabo.
But Dr Hewson was hit by stinging abuse from his own side on
the question of leadership yesterday.
Mr Borbidge said Dr Hewson had "gone missing" on Mabo, leaving
most members of the Federal Opposition acting like "political
eunuchs". He also criticised the NSW Premier, Mr Fahey, fro
his contribution.
* The Queensland Premier, Mr Goss, has sought to play down a
damaging dispute with the Prime Minister, claiming last night
he did not believe media reports that Mr Keating had described
him as "slippery" over his role in the recent Council of
Australian Governments meeting, which focused on the Mabo
issue.
(ends)