The Land Rights Act was passed in 1976 and enshrined Aboriginal land rights in the Northern Territory.
The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (The Land Rights Act) was passed by the Australian Parliament in December 1976 after years of political struggle by Aboriginal people to have their rights to land recognised. The Land Rights Act is a piece of Commonwealth legislation that applies only to the Northern Territory. This important and historic law recognises the Aboriginal system of land ownership by Traditional Land Owners and provides ways for them to own, control and use the resources of their land.
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The Land Rights Act was passed in 1976 and enshrined Aboriginal land rights in the Northern Territory.
The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (The Land Rights Act) was passed by the Australian Parliament in December 1976 after years of political struggle by Aboriginal people to have their rights to land recognised. The Land Rights Act is a piece of Commonwealth legislation that applies only to the Northern Territory. This important and historic law recognises the Aboriginal system of land ownership by Traditional Land Owners and provides ways for them to own, control and use the resources of their land.
Aboriginal land is held communally by a land trust, and Traditional Owners manage their land with the help of their land council. Aboriginal land is a form of ‘inalienable’ freehold, which means it cannot be bought or sold. However, long term leases can be granted by a land trust for many different purposes.
In 2007, amendments to the Land Rights Act introduced the position of the Executive Director of Township Leasing and a new way to administer the land within a community or ‘Township’ on Aboriginal land. The Executive Director holds long term leases over Townships on Aboriginal land on behalf of the Australian Government, the land council and land trust. The Executive Director also holds leases for other purposes, such as housing, over Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory.
Suggested reading for more background on the Land Rights Act:
Commonwealth Asset Leases held by the Executive Director under s19 of the Land Rights Act, Housing Precinct Leases held by the Executive Director under s19 of the Land Rights Act
-24.1307, 134.3733
Asset Types: GEC complex, child care centre Land: Aboriginal Land
Commonwealth Asset Leases held by the Executive Director under s19 of the Land Rights Act, Housing Precinct Leases held by the Executive Director under s19 of the Land Rights Act
-22.9843, 134.9341
Asset Types: GEC complex, child care centre Land: Community Living Area
The Office of Township Leasing acknowledges Traditional Owners and their continuing connection to their ancestral lands, waters and communities. To all Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia we pay our respects to their Cultures, Country and Elders past, present and emerging.
The Executive Director respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and culture. Readers should be aware that this report contains references and images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have passed.
