Native Title decision delivers certainty for all parties

The Coordinator of the Diocesan Office of Justice, Ecology & Peace in Broome, Br Shane Wood, today joined with other parties in welcoming the decision of the Federal Court, handed down in Broome last Friday, granting Native title rights to the Yawuru people.

‘This determination gives a level of certainty to all the parties with an interest in the Broome area, and allows negotiations to be set in train amongst all the parties regarding future developments in the Broome area,' Br Wood said. ‘It is hoped that the Shire, State Government and the Yawuru people can now make progress with regard to future developments in the Broome area that will potentially provide benefits for all concerned. Up to this point, the Yawuru people have been generous in their willingness to make agreements that have allowed some developments to go ahead despite the lengthy process of arriving at the Native Title decision. This needs to be recognized and I hope that the other parties will be equally as generous in future negotiations.'

Br Wood also added his support to that of others, including the presiding judge, Ron Merkel, in calling for a review of the Native Title process and an increase in the resources provided to parties making claims. ‘It is a pity that many of those who were part of the process in the beginning and worked hard to achieve this result have since passed away in the intervening 12 years. Nobody should have to wait this length of time to achieve justice.'