Contents

Part I--Preliminary                                                                                                                 1

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1

3............ Interpretation ...................................................................................... 1

3AAA... Approval of Commonwealth entities ................................................. 8

3AA...... Approval of NT entities ..................................................................... 8

3AB...... Townships .......................................................................................... 9

3A......... Crown land vested in Northern Territory .......................................... 9

3B......... Act binds the Crown ........................................................................ 10

3C......... Act has effect despite Lands Acquisition Act .................................. 10

3D......... Application of the Criminal Code .................................................... 10

Part II--Grants of land to Aboriginal Land Trusts                                             11

4............ Land Trusts ...................................................................................... 11

5............ Functions of Land Trusts ................................................................. 14

6............ Land Trust not empowered to accept moneys ................................. 14

7............ Membership of Land Trust .............................................................. 15

8............ Termination of appointment of members of Land Trusts ................ 16

9............ Resignation of member of Land Trust .............................................. 16

10.......... Recommendations for grants of Crown land described in Schedule 1 16

11.......... Recommendations for grants of Crown land other than Schedule 1 land and former public roads           19

11A....... Land Councils may enter into agreements concerning land under claim   24

11B....... Recommendations for grants of former public roads ........................ 25

12.......... Grants of land to Land Trusts .......................................................... 26

12AAA. Additional grant to Tiwi Land Trust ................................................ 30

12AAB. Grant of land to Anindilyakwa Land Trust etc. ............................... 31

12AA.... Agreements with respect to roads on land described in Schedule 1 . 36

12AB.... Declaratory orders with respect to roads on land described in Schedule 1               36

12AC.... Effect of agreement or order ............................................................. 37

12AD.... Compensation for loss of licences etc. ............................................. 37

12A....... Occupation of land by Director ........................................................ 38

12B....... Arbitration on agreement between Land Council and Director ........ 38

12C....... Minister may grant lease in certain circumstances ........................... 39

13.......... Grants of interests in land the subject of a deed in escrow .............. 40

14.......... Occupation etc. by the Crown etc. of Aboriginal land vested in Land Trust           41

15.......... Payments in respect of occupation of land by the Crown etc. ........ 42

16.......... Payments to Land Council by the Crown in respect of interests in Aboriginal land               42

17.......... Appropriation etc. of payments to Land Council or approved entity 42

18.......... Occupation or use of Aboriginal land by mission ............................ 43

18A....... Occupation or use of land in Ranger Project Area ............................ 44

18B....... Occupation or use of land in Alligator Rivers Region, other than the Ranger Project Area     45

18C....... Section 18A or 18B not to authorise mining etc. .............................. 46

19.......... Dealings etc. with interests in land by Land Trusts ......................... 46

19A....... Land Trust may grant headlease over township ............................... 50

19C....... Modification of certain NT laws for a township lease held by a Commonwealth entity or transferred from a Commonwealth entity to an NT entity ............................................ 53

19D....... Modification of NT subdivision law for grant of a township lease to a Commonwealth entity              53

19E........ Modification of certain NT laws for a township lease held by a Commonwealth entity        53

20.......... Leases in compliance with obligations of the Commonwealth ......... 54

20A....... Northern Territory transfer of land law to apply ............................ 55

Part IIA--Executive Director of Township Leasing                                          57

Division 1--Establishment of the Executive Director of Township Leasing       57

20B....... Executive Director of Township Leasing ......................................... 57

Division 2--Functions of the Executive Director                                        58

20C....... Functions of the Executive Director ................................................. 58

Division 3--Administrative provisions about the Executive Director    59

20D....... Appointment of Executive Director ................................................. 59

20E........ Appointment to be full‑time ............................................................ 59

20F........ Terms and conditions--general ........................................................ 59

20G....... Remuneration and allowances ........................................................... 59

20H....... Executive Director not to engage in paid employment ..................... 59

20J........ Acting Executive Director ................................................................. 60

20K....... Leave of absence ............................................................................... 60

20L........ Resignation ....................................................................................... 60

20M...... Termination of appointment ............................................................ 60

20N....... Disclosure of interests ...................................................................... 61

Division 4--Staff and consultants                                                                          62

20P........ Staff .................................................................................................. 62

20Q....... Consultants ....................................................................................... 62

Division 5--Annual report                                                                                        63

20R....... Annual report ................................................................................... 63

Division 6--Repeal of Part                                                                                       64

20S........ Repeal of Part ................................................................................... 64

Part IIB--Statutory rights over buildings or infrastructure                          65

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                             65

20T....... Definitions ........................................................................................ 65

Division 2--Commonwealth rights                                                                       67

Subdivision A--Application of Division                                                                 67

20U....... Application of Division .................................................................... 67

20V....... Funding body .................................................................................... 67

Subdivision B--Statutory rights                                                                             68

20W...... Funding body has the statutory rights ............................................. 68

20X....... Transfer of statutory rights .............................................................. 68

20Y....... Rights holder may permit others to exercise the statutory rights .... 69

20Z....... Ownership of buildings or infrastructure ......................................... 69

20ZA.... Variation of initial area ...................................................................... 69

20ZB..... Operation of Lands Acquisition Act ................................................ 69

Subdivision C--Leases                                                                                              70

20ZC..... Section 19 leases ............................................................................... 70

20ZD.... Effect of leases on statutory rights ................................................... 71

Subdivision D--When this Division ceases to apply                                            72

20ZE..... When this Division ceases to apply ................................................. 72

Division 3--Northern Territory rights                                                               73

Subdivision A--Application of Division                                                                 73

20ZF..... Application of Division .................................................................... 73

20ZG.... Funding body .................................................................................... 73

Subdivision B--Statutory rights                                                                             74

20ZH.... Funding body has the statutory rights ............................................. 74

20ZI...... Transfer of statutory rights .............................................................. 74

20ZJ...... Rights holder may permit others to exercise the statutory rights .... 75

20ZK.... Ownership of buildings or infrastructure ......................................... 75

20ZL..... Variation of initial area ...................................................................... 75

20ZM... Operation of Lands Acquisition Act ................................................ 75

Subdivision C--Leases                                                                                              76

20ZN.... Section 19 leases ............................................................................... 76

20ZO.... Effect of leases on statutory rights ................................................... 77

Subdivision D--When this Division ceases to apply                                            78

20ZP..... When this Division ceases to apply ................................................. 78

Part III--Aboriginal Land Councils                                                                             79

21.......... Establishment of Land Councils ....................................................... 79

21A....... Aboriginal group or body may seek establishment of new Land Council                79

21B....... Minister's assessment of application for establishment of new Land Council        80

21C....... Establishment of new Land Council if a 55% positive vote ............. 80

21D....... Rules about Commonwealth Electoral Roll ...................................... 82

22.......... Land Council to be body corporate etc. ........................................... 83

22A....... Who are directors for the purposes of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997?         83

23.......... Functions of Land Council ............................................................... 83

23AA.... How functions of a Land Council are to be performed .................... 85

23A....... Power of Land Council to obtain information and documents ......... 86

23B....... Application to Supreme Court for order with respect to information or documents               87

23C....... A person authorised by Land Council to have access to buildings and places in Region         88

23D....... Application to Supreme Court for order with respect to access ...... 88

23E........ Secrecy .............................................................................................. 89

24.......... Register of traditional Aboriginal owners ......................................... 90

25.......... Duty of Land Council to attempt conciliation of disputes .............. 91

26.......... Land Council to meet expenses etc. of Land Trust .......................... 91

27.......... Powers of Land Council ................................................................... 91

28.......... Delegation ......................................................................................... 92

28A....... Delegation of a Land Council's functions or powers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation            94

28B....... Variation or revocation of a delegation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation 95

28C....... Minister may agree to delegation or variation if Land Council refuses to do so       97

28D....... Land Council cannot perform functions or exercise powers delegated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation ....................................................................................... 99

28E........ Land Council to provide assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation       99

28F........ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation to give notice of its decisions     99

29.......... Membership of Land Council ......................................................... 100

29AA.... Register of interests of members of Land Council .......................... 101

29A....... Committees ..................................................................................... 102

30.......... Chair and Deputy Chair of Land Council ....................................... 103

31.......... Meetings of Land Council .............................................................. 103

33.......... Borrowing by Land Council ........................................................... 105

33A....... Land Council may charge fees for services ..................................... 105

34.......... Expenditure to be in accordance with approved estimates ............. 106

35.......... Application of money of Land Council .......................................... 107

35A....... Making of determinations under subsection 35(2), (3) or (6) ........ 111

35B....... Notification requirements for body corporate receiving money from Land Council                112

35C....... Reporting obligations for body corporate receiving money from Land Council       112

36.......... Other payments to be approved by Minister ................................ 113

37.......... Additional Land Council reporting requirements ........................... 113

38.......... Minister to provide evaluation or audit reports to Land Council .. 115

39.......... Minister may give directions about Land Council finances ............ 115

Part IV--Mining                                                                                                                   117

40.......... Grants of exploration licences ........................................................ 117

41.......... Application for consent to exploration licences ............................. 117

41A....... Withdrawal of application for consent to exploration licence ........ 119

42.......... Response of Land Council and Minister to application ................. 120

43.......... National interest cases .................................................................... 125

44.......... Determination of conditions of exploration licences ...................... 127

44A....... Terms and conditions of exploration licences ................................. 129

45.......... Mining interest not to be granted in certain circumstances ............ 130

46.......... Terms and conditions to which grant of mining interest subject .... 130

47.......... Cancellation of exploration licence or mining interest .................... 134

48.......... No further applications within certain periods .............................. 136

48A....... Land Council may enter agreement concerning exploration or mining of land subject to claim                140

48AA.... Special provisions relating to specified areas ................................. 141

48B....... Variation of terms and conditions ................................................... 142

48C....... Application of Acts authorising mining on Aboriginal land ........... 143

48D....... Payments in respect of mining under Acts ..................................... 144

48E........ Arbitration on required agreement .................................................. 144

48F........ Appointment as Mining Commissioner ......................................... 145

48G....... Proclamations to be laid before Parliament ..................................... 146

48H....... Agreements for entry on Aboriginal land ....................................... 147

48J........ Offence in connection with mining interest .................................... 148

Part V--Aboriginal Land Commissioners                                                              150

49.......... Aboriginal Land Commissioners ..................................................... 150

50.......... Functions of Commissioner ............................................................ 150

51.......... Powers of Commissioner ................................................................ 153

52.......... Appointment of Commissioner ...................................................... 154

53.......... Judge or former Judge to be appointed as Commissioner .............. 154

53A....... Protection for Commissioner etc. ................................................... 154

54.......... Power to require person to answer questions and produce documents .. 155

54A....... Person wishing to give information etc. to Commissioner ............. 156

54AA.... Commissioner may restrict publication etc. ................................... 157

54C....... Financial assistance in respect of legal representation .................... 157

54D....... Reference of question of law to Federal Court ............................... 158

55.......... Interests of Commissioner in any business .................................... 159

56.......... Leave of absence ............................................................................. 159

57.......... Acting appointments ...................................................................... 159

58.......... Resignation ..................................................................................... 160

59.......... Staff to assist Commissioner .......................................................... 160

60.......... Consultants to Commissioner ........................................................ 160

61.......... Annual report etc. by Commissioner ............................................. 161

Part VI--Aboriginals Benefit Account                                                                     162

62.......... Aboriginals Benefit Account .......................................................... 162

62A....... Minimum investment amount ........................................................ 162

63.......... Credit of amounts to Account ........................................................ 162

64.......... Debits from the Account ................................................................ 164

64A....... Debit of additional amounts from Account .................................... 166

64B....... Accounts, financial statements and annual report .......................... 168

65.......... Account Advisory Committee ....................................................... 168

Part VII--Miscellaneous                                                                                                 170

66.......... Interpretation .................................................................................. 170

67.......... Aboriginal land not to be resumed etc. ........................................... 170

67A....... Estates or interests not to be granted while land subject to traditional land claim   170

67B....... Certain estates or interests may be granted while land subject to traditional land claim          175

68.......... Roads over Aboriginal land ............................................................. 177

69.......... Sacred sites ..................................................................................... 178

70.......... Entry etc. on Aboriginal land [see Note 1] ..................................... 179

70A....... Vested Aboriginal land and community land .................................. 183

70B....... Entering or remaining on Aboriginal land--access roads to communities                 183

70C....... Entering or remaining on Aboriginal land--aerodromes ................. 186

70D....... Entering or remaining on Aboriginal land--landing places for vessels 188

70E........ Entering or remaining on Aboriginal land--roads within communities 189

70F........ Entering or remaining on Aboriginal land--common areas ............. 192

70G....... Entering or remaining on Aboriginal land--court hearings ............. 195

70H....... No limit on section 71 .................................................................... 195

71.......... Traditional rights to use or occupation of Aboriginal land ............. 195

72.......... Aboriginal land to continue to be reserve under Northern Territory law                 196

73.......... Reciprocal legislation of the Northern Territory ............................ 196

74.......... Application of laws of Northern Territory to Aboriginal land ...... 198

74AA.... Revoking of permits issued under the Aboriginal Land Act of the Northern Territory           198

74A....... Financial assistance in respect of legal representation in closure of seas applications             198

75.......... Application of miner's right in relation to Aboriginal land ............ 199

76.......... Delegation by Minister ................................................................... 199

77.......... Remuneration and allowances ......................................................... 200

77A....... Consents of traditional Aboriginal owners ..................................... 201

77B....... Conduct by director, servants or agents ......................................... 201

77C....... Amendment of Schedule 1 .............................................................. 202

78.......... Regulations ..................................................................................... 202

Schedule 1                                                                                                                                 203

Part 1                                                                                                                                           203

Part 2                                                                                                                                           217

Part 3                                                                                                                                           219

Part 4                                                                                                                                           224

Schedule 2                                                                                                                                 228

Schedule 3                                                                                                                                 229

Schedule 4                                                                                                                                 230

Schedule 5                                                                                                                                 232

Schedule 6--Anindilyakwa Land Trust                                                                   233

Schedule 7--Community land                                                                                       234

1............ Acacia Larrakia ............................................................................... 234

2............ Ali Curung ...................................................................................... 235

3............ Amanbidji ....................................................................................... 237

4............ Amoonguna ..................................................................................... 238

5............ Ampilatwatja .................................................................................. 239

6............ Angurugu ........................................................................................ 240

7............ Areyonga ........................................................................................ 241

8............ Barunga ........................................................................................... 242

9............ Belyuen ........................................................................................... 244

10.......... Beswick .......................................................................................... 246

11.......... Bulman ............................................................................................ 247

12.......... Daguragu ......................................................................................... 249

13.......... Galiwinku ....................................................................................... 252

14.......... Gapuwiyak ..................................................................................... 256

15.......... Gunbalanya ..................................................................................... 258

16.......... Gunyangara ..................................................................................... 260

17.......... Haasts Bluff .................................................................................... 261

18.......... Hermannsburg ................................................................................. 263

19.......... Kaltukatjara .................................................................................... 265

20.......... Kintore ............................................................................................ 269

21.......... Lajamanu ......................................................................................... 270

22.......... Maningrida ...................................................................................... 273

23.......... Manyallaluk .................................................................................... 276

24.......... Milikapiti ........................................................................................ 277

25.......... Milingimbi ...................................................................................... 279

26.......... Milyakburra .................................................................................... 281

27.......... Minjilang ......................................................................................... 282

28.......... Mt Liebig ........................................................................................ 285

29.......... Mutitjulu ........................................................................................ 288

30.......... Nguiu .............................................................................................. 288

31.......... Ngukurr ........................................................................................... 288

32.......... Nturiya ........................................................................................... 290

33.......... Numbulwar ..................................................................................... 291

34.......... Nyirripi ........................................................................................... 293

35.......... Palumpa .......................................................................................... 294

36.......... Papunya .......................................................................................... 296

37.......... Peppimenarti .................................................................................. 299

38.......... Pigeon Hole ..................................................................................... 301

39.......... Pirlangimpi ...................................................................................... 302

40.......... Pmara Jutunta ................................................................................. 303

41.......... Ramingining .................................................................................... 305

42.......... Robinson River ............................................................................... 308

43.......... Santa Teresa .................................................................................... 309

44.......... Umbakumba .................................................................................... 311

45.......... Wadeye ........................................................................................... 313

46.......... Wallace Rockhole ............................................................................ 315

47.......... Warruwi .......................................................................................... 317

48.......... Weemol ........................................................................................... 319

49.......... Willowra ......................................................................................... 321

50.......... Yirrkala ........................................................................................... 323

51.......... Yuelamu .......................................................................................... 324

52.......... Yuendumu ....................................................................................... 325

53.......... Low water marks ............................................................................ 327

Notes                                                                                                                                           329

An Act providing for the granting of Traditional Aboriginal Land in the Northern Territory for the benefit of Aboriginals, and for other purposes

  

Notes to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976

Note 1

The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 as shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 191, 1976 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 was amended by the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) (Land Description) Regulations (as amended), the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) (Land Description) (Ranken River Locality etc.) Regulations, the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) (Land Description) (Birdum (Jommet Block) Locality) Regulations, the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) (Land Description) (Mt Kathleen Locality) Regulations, the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) (Land Description) (Forster Range (Stirling) and other Localities) Regulations, the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) (Land Description) (16 Mile (Bond Springs) Locality) Regulations and the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) (Land Description) (Mt Solitaire Locality) Regulations. The amendments are incorporated in this compilation.

For cessation details of subsections 70(2BA), (2BB) and (2BC) see subsection 70(2BD).

All relevant information pertaining to application, saving or transitional provisions prior to 16 July 1999 is not included in this compilation. For subsequent information see Table A.

Table of Acts

Act	Number and year	Date of Assent	Date of commencement	Application, saving or transitional provisions
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976	191, 1976	16 Dec 1976	S. 70: 1 Feb 1979 (see Gazette 1979, No. S9) Remainder: 26 Jan 1977 (see Gazette  1977, No. S6)
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Act 1978	21, 1978	17 May 1978	23 June 1978 (see Gazette 1978, No. S110)	--
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Act (No. 3) 1978	70, 1978	22 June 1978	1 July 1978	S. 10
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Act (No. 2) 1978	83, 1978	22 June 1978	22 June 1978	--
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Act 1979	189, 1979	4 Dec 1979	4 Dec 1979	Ss. 9(2), (3) and 14 S. 13 (rep. by 16, 1982, s. 13)
as amended by
Aboriginal Land Rights Legislation Amendment Act 1982	16, 1982	15 Apr 1982	15 Apr 1982	S. 7(2)
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Act 1980	72, 1980	28 May 1980	Ss. 3 and 6‑9: 26 Jan 1977 Remainder: Royal Assent	Ss. 10 and 11
Companies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1981	92, 1981	18 June 1981	Part I (ss. 1, 2): Royal Assent Div. 1 of Part XI (s. 36): 1 July 1981 (see s. 2(2) and Gazette 1981, No. S118) Remainder: 1 July 1982 (see s. 2(3) and Gazette 1982, No. S124)	--
Aboriginal Land Rights Legislation Amendment Act 1982	16, 1982	15 Apr 1982	15 Apr 1982	S. 7(2)
as amended by
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act (No. 2) 1982	80, 1982	22 Sept 1982	Part IV (ss. 10, 11): (a)	--
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act  (No. 2) 1982	80, 1982	22 Sept 1982	Ss. 12 and 13: (b) S. 14: 20 Oct 1982 (b)	--
Public Service Reform Act 1984	63, 1984	25 June 1984	S. 151(1): 1 July 1984 (see Gazette 1984, No. S245) (c)	S. 151(9)
as amended by
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1984	165, 1984	25 Oct 1984	S. 3: (d)	--
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1984	72, 1984	25 June 1984	S. 3: Royal Assent (e)	S. 5(1)
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 1) 1985	65, 1985	5 June 1985	S. 3: 3 July 1985 (f)	--
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Act 1985	93, 1985	2 Sept 1985	2 Sept 1985	--
Public Service and Statutory Authorities Amendment Act 1985	166, 1985	11 Dec 1985	S. 45: 8 Jan 1986  (g)	S. 45(2)
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Act (No. 2) 1987	18, 1987	18 May 1987	18 May 1987 (see s. 2)	--
as amended by
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1988	38, 1988	3 June 1988	S. 3: 18 May 1987 (h)	--
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Act 1987	40, 1987	5 June 1987	S. 13 (in part): 1 Sept 1995 (see Gazette 1995, No. S333) S. 25 (in part): 1 Mar 1990 (see Gazette 1990, No. S51) S. 26: 30 June 1986 S. 34: (i) Remainder: Royal Assent	S. 21(2)
as amended by
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Act 1989	2, 1990	17 Jan 1990	17 Jan 1990	--
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Act (No. 3) 1987	75, 1987	5 June 1987	5 June 1987	S. 7 S. 8 (am. by 2, 1990, s. 18)
as amended by
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Act 1989	2, 1990	17 Jan 1990	17 Jan 1990	--
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1987	141, 1987	18 Dec 1987	S. 3: Royal Assent (j)	S. 5(1)
Lands Acquisition (Repeal and Consequential Provisions) Act 1989	21, 1989	20 Apr 1989	9 June 1989 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1989, No. S185)	--
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989	150, 1989	27 Nov 1989