Queensland Consolidated Acts Queensland Consolidated ActsWhereas--
1 Before European settlement land in what is now the State of Queensland had been occupied, used and enjoyed since time immemorial by Aboriginal people in accordance with Aboriginal tradition.
2 Land is of spiritual, social, historical, cultural and economic importance to Aboriginal people.
3 After European settlement many Aboriginal people were dispossessed and dispersed.
4 Some Aboriginal people have maintained their ancestors' traditional affiliation with particular areas of land.
5 Some Aboriginal people have a historical association with particular areas of land based on them or their ancestors having lived on or used the land or neighbouring land.
6 Some Aboriginal people have a requirement for land to ensure their economic or cultural viability.
7 Some land has been set aside for Aboriginal reserves or for the benefit of Aboriginal people and deeds of grant in trust are held on behalf of certain Aboriginal people.
8 The Parliament is satisfied that Aboriginal interests and responsibilities in relation to land have not been adequately and appropriately recognised by the law and that this has contributed to a general failure of previous policies in relation to Aboriginal people.
9 The Parliament is further satisfied that special measures need to be enacted for the purpose of securing adequate advancement of the interests and responsibilities of Aboriginal people in Queensland and to rectify the consequences of past injustices.
10 It is, therefore, the intention of the Parliament to make provision, by the special measures enacted by this Act, for the adequate and appropriate recognition of the interests and responsibilities of Aboriginal people in relation to land and thereby to foster the capacity for self-development, and the self-reliance and cultural integrity, of the Aboriginal people of Queensland.