What’s Happening?
Henry Pike MP, Federal Member for Bowman, has secured a firm commitment from the Dutton LNP to reinstate the Native Title Respondent and Native Title Officer Scheme. This $8.3 million funding over four years aims to support councils, farmers, and others responding to native title claims.
Why It Matters
This move restores balance to the native title legal process. The funding allows respondents such as Redland City Council to defend claims without burdening local communities. It comes after the Albanese Labor Government abolished the scheme, leaving respondents without financial assistance while claimants retained support.
Local Impact
Redland City Council currently faces a large native title claim involving about 3,500 council-owned or managed properties. These include some of the city’s most well-known parks and public spaces. Without this funding, local ratepayers would carry the legal cost burden.
Henry Pike said, “This is an incredibly expensive and lengthy process that will potentially cost ratepayers millions and take years to progress.” He also stressed, “I have made multiple requests to the Attorney General Mark Dreyfus to have respondent funding restored for Redlands. Sadly these requests have been dismissed.”
By the Numbers
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$8.3 million: The funding the LNP has committed over the next four years to restore fairness in native title processes.
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3,500: Council-owned or managed Redlands properties covered by the native title claim.
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2022: The year Henry Pike was elected and began advocating for the scheme’s return.
Zoom In
The native title claim over Redlands includes iconic public land that residents use daily. Mr Pike highlighted that many locals were unaware of the size and scope of the claim. He said, “Redlands ratepayers should not have to bear the brunt of Labor’s poor policies.” His campaign for funding reinstatement reflects long-standing concerns about the fairness and financial impacts of the legal process.
Zoom Out
Across Australia, native title claimants receive Commonwealth legal support, but councils and landholders do not. The Coalition’s renewed pledge aims to rebalance this disparity. As Mr Pike noted, “This announcement will ensure that our legal system can seek a win-win outcome that works for all.”
For decades, governments funded both claimants and respondents to ensure just outcomes in native title determinations. The LNP’s new pledge reaffirms that principle and responds to mounting pressure from affected regions.
What To Look For Next?
If elected, the Dutton Coalition Government will roll out the $8.3 million scheme nationally, starting with high-impact regions like Redlands. Local leaders and councils will watch closely for the implementation timeline and access to funding mechanisms.
