Negotiations for resolving Native Title currently being conducted in South Australia are part of a unique statewide approach that has the potential to yield far superior outcomes for industry, communities and the government.

First conceived in 1999, this negotiation process has evolved to include 5 peak bodies representing the interest of miners, pastoralists, fishers, local government, the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement representing 23 Native Title claimant groups and the South Australian State Government.

Why is this so different, and so important?

South Australia has a statewide approach which brings together peak bodies to discuss the issues arising from the lodgement of Native Title claims.

The parties involved in South Australia are:

• Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM)
• SA Farmers Federation (SAFF)
• SA Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME)
• Seafood Council (SA) Ltd
• SA Fishing Industry Council (SAFIC)
• Local Government Association (LGA)
• South Australian Government

In this State it is the preferred position to negotiate with respect to the issues arising from the lodgement of Native Title claims. This process of discussion and negotiation is seen as an opportunity to develop positive, mutually beneficial, long-term relationships between the negotiating parties.

Negotiations, as part of the statewide South Australian Native Title Resolution process, focus on particular claim areas where matters at issue are dealt with on a whole of claim basis and sector negotiations are programmed to manage the timeframe for all parties. This paves the way for the settlement of Native Title claims through a combination of Indigenous Land Use Agreements and either a consent determination of Native Title or the withdrawal, where appropriate, of each Native Title claim.