WA Government reviewing Native Title

The WA Government has announced it will undertake a targeted review into Native Title and Aboriginal cultural heritage processes in WA’s mining and exploration sector, focusing on improving outcomes for both Traditional Owners and industry.

The process will strictly focus on the processes that pertain to mining and exploration under current legislation and will be conducted in partnership with the National Native Title Tribunal.

The review aims to identify options to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and equity of WA’s Native Title and Aboriginal cultural heritage processes.

“Native Title is a major feature of the social, cultural and economic landscape in WA, with more than 90% of the state subject to a Native Title outcome,” says WA Premier Roger Cook.

“This targeted review is a timely and important opportunity to strengthen the way we manage Aboriginal cultural heritage in WA and find better ways to navigate statutory consultation processes in the mining and exploration sector, under the current legislative frameworks.”

The issues targeted by the review include the interaction and consultation processes under current legislation and the capacity of relevant stakeholders to participate.

How these processes deliver social, economic and community benefits and contribute to the state’s commitments under the National Agreement and Closing the Gap will also be addressed.

National Native Title Tribunal president Kevin Smith comments on the review.

“We look forward to supporting the WA Government to undertake focused and meaningful consultations with Traditional Owners and industry stakeholders to better understand how consultation processes can be improved upon to support Native Title parties to protect, preserve and manage their cultural heritage,” he said.

A final report is expected to be provided to the WA Government by the end of 2025.