Action item 11.4
Progress
Complete.
Approved by decision makers.
Recommendation implemented.
That gas companies be required to provide a statement to native title holders containing information of the kind required under section 41(6) of the Land Rights Act for the purposes of negotiating an onshore shale gas exploration agreement under the future act provisions of the Native Title Act.
Completed.
Action item update
Implementation
The Northern Territory Government updated its Petroleum Exploration Permit Application and Conditions guideline to reflect the requirement for petroleum companies seeking to negotiate an exploration agreement on Native Title Land, to provide a statement to native title claimants in line with the provisions of section 41(6) of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976 regarding potential future exploration activity. This will ensure native title claimants have a clear understanding of the nature of the potential future exploration activity.
The Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976 s41(6) details in a very prescriptive nature the information that is required to be provided by petroleum companies (regarding potential exploration activities) to both inform and commence negotiating an exploration permit with Traditional Owners on Aboriginal land.
The Native Title Act 1998 is Commonwealth legislation and cannot be amended by the NT Government.