The Australian (Madonna King and David Nason friday 3
december) reports:
...Aboriginal leaders revealed they wanted amendments to
the federal legislation aimed at ending the damaging
public perception that Aborigines would be paid huge
amounts of cash compensation for extinguished native
title.
The 12 amendments, prepared by the Northern and Central
Land Councils and to be finalised at a meeting in
Canberra on sunday, show that Aboriginal leaders want
changes to allow compensation to be paid in forms other
than cash.
The amendments propose compensation may consist of money,
transfer of property by the Crown, provision of services
or employment, training or business opportunities or any
other form deemed fit by an arbitrator.
To appease the Western Australian Greens, another
proposed amendment seeks to expand the parameters for
special inquires before the National native Title
Tribunal to allow access for Aborigines, either
individually or as a group, who believe a native title
claim brought by other Aborigines was prejudicial to
them.