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NT intervention unconstitutional, elders tell court | The Australian

NT intervention unconstitutional, elders tell court
THE AUSTRALIAN Nicola Berkovic | October 03, 2008

KEY aspects of the Northern Territory intervention, including the federal Government’s five-year takeover of Aboriginal townships, were unconstitutional, the High Court heard yesterday.

Traditional land owner Reggie Wurridjal and his sister Joy Garlbin, from Maningrida in western Arnhem Land, and the township’s Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, have mounted a challenge to the intervention launched last year by the Howard government.

They say the forced five-year lease of their land amounted to an acquisition of their property rights and the commonwealth failed to do so on “just terms” as required by the Constitution.

Bawinanga chairman Peter Danaja, who was part of a delegation that travelled to Canberra for the hearing yesterday, said the intervention had “completely stripped” traditional owners of their land rights………………………………The NT Government has intervened in the case to support the group’s argument that the commonwealth must acquire NT property on just terms.

NT intervention unconstitutional, elders tell court | The Australian

Tags: indigenous, aboriginal

October 7, 2008 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | indigenous issues