Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt welcomes commences of Noongar native title deal after years of appeals

The South West Native Title Settlement has hit a landmark moment as the deal officially commenced after years of appeals from opponents. February 25 marked the occasion of the settlement effective date for the six Indigenous Land Use Agreements which means payments will finally begin to be made to the Noongar Boodja Trust- Retiring Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt said the day was an important step in building the future for the Noongar Nation. “The Southwest Noongar settlement will transform the relationship between Noongar people and the State of Western Australia,” Mr Wyatt told The West Australian. “This historic agreement provides a strategic framework for public and private investment to advance the social and economic development of all Noongar people, and for the benefit of the wider community.” Vanessa Kickett, Chairperson for the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council- native title service provider to the Noongar people- told The West Australian Thursday was an important step towards self-determination for the Noongar people. “Six years ago, the Noongar people voted to accept the negotiated agreement between the Noongar people and the Western Australia Government. While we waited for the court processes and appeals to work their way through the legal system, we have lost many of our elders who worked so hard to see this agreement come to pass,” she said. “Today I remember the Noongar elders who fought so long to win justice for our people and who passed before they were able to see these ILUAs come into effect and I pay my respects to their memory and the legacy they leave for us...we will do everything we can to honour their vision and their memory.” Negotiations for the South West Native Title Settlement commenced in January 2010, a “final offer” was presented to SWALSC for consideration in July 2013. The Settlement will resolve all native title claims in the South-West in exchange for around $1.3 billion in land and other benefits for Noongar people. The agreement has been one of the most controversial both on a State and national level. Several appeals have been heard in court but none have been able to completely stop the process. Last November, the High Court dismisses all special leave applications challenging the registration of the South West Native Title Settlement Agreements- finally allowing a pathway forward for the Agreement. The six Noongar Regional Corporations representing the rights and interests of the six ILUA groups will then be established, signalling the start of a new era of self-determination for the Noongar people. The six groups are Ballardong, Gnaala Karla Booja, South West Boojarah, Wagyl Kaip and Southern Noongar, Whadjuk, and Yued. Other benefits part of the settlement include 320,00 hectares of development and cultural land, land access, transfer and refurbishment of 121 properties to the Noongar Boodja Trust and $10m to develop and refurbish the properties, and a yearly instalments of $50 million for 12 years into the Noongar Boodja Trust.