Native title claim facts
Regarding last week’s letter on the native title claim by the Taungurung People, if people researched how native title affects them and their property they would know that it won’t affect them at all.
As stated on the First Peoples – State Relations website (https://www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/fact-sheet-aboriginal-places-private-property), and I quote “Only vacant Crown land may be subject to a native title claim. Freehold land, which is almost all private property, is not subject to native title claims even if Aboriginal places are present. In general, having Aboriginal cultural places on your land will not affect ownership, or stop existing land use from continuing”.
It also has nothing to do with the last referendum, native title was a High Court decision handed down in 1992 and there are numerous native title determinations across the country and Victoria already in place without issue.
People need to accept that Taungurung people were here long before white settlers came, and in some cases brutally took their lands. Having native title gives back a small stake holding in what was taken that will not affect you or your properties.
Dee Barry
Broadford