http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/NT-Seafood-Council-fights-Native-Title/2007/03/09/1173166964121.html

The Northern Territory Seafood Council has joined forces with the territory government to fight a court decision granting Aborigines exclusive native title to a stretch of Australia's northern coast.

The landmark Federal Court ruling in Darwin last week could affect up to 80 per cent of the Northern Territory coast.

The NT government immediately announced it would appeal to the High Court over a ruling that will have huge implications for commercial fishing.

Three judges unanimously granted traditional owners exclusive native title rights to the intertidal zone in the Blue Mud Bay region in north-east Arnhem Land, about 200km south of Yirrkala.

It means local Aborigines can decide who enters waters near the coastline to fish, with the decision impacting commercial licences for barramundi, mud crabs and trepang operators.

"The potential impacts of the decision upon certain sectors of the commercial fishing industry are complex, and we are currently assessing those impacts upon individual members and the industry as a whole," said NT Seafood Council chairman Rob Fish.

What's the problem?  Surely the NT government would just compensate these fishermen - unless there's some other reason behind their proposed appeal.  Maybe this coastline is too valuable and developers have already started bidding for it.  Either way, the land will end up being sold for development - but if the aboriginals own it, the NT government misses out on additional revenue.

No-one normally cares when our commercial fisherman lose their livelihood through a government decision.

Same as Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon,Native Title is granted then the Government take 99 year lease.Puts lots of money in pockets of a few strong familys from coastal tribes and then take park fees(for entry) off anyone that visits.Provides an economy for the communities and gives work to a few lucky ones

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/NT-govt-to-appeal-coast-access-case/2007/06/21/1182019268134.html

The Northern Territory government is to appeal to the High Court to overturn a decision giving Aborigines exclusive access to 80 per cent of the region's coastline.

An interim licensing agreement was struck between the NT government and Top End traditional owners four days ahead of the Easter weekend, allowing recreational fishers permit-free angling.

"The interim licence arrangements will remain in place until the High Court hands down its decision in the appeal," Mr Stirling said.

http://news.smh.com.au/national/nt-allowed-to-acquire-native-title-land-20080515-2er8.html

The Northern Territory government has been given the green light to forcibly acquire any land in the region, regardless of native title, following a landmark ruling from the High Court.

But the NT government said it favoured negotiating with traditional owners and would only use the powers as a last resort.

In a 5-2 decision, the High Court of Australia dismissed an appeal by the Ngaliwurru and Nungali people who hold native title over Timber Creek, south-west of Katherine.

The traditional owners had challenged the NT government's power to compulsorily acquire land under the Lands Acquisition Act (NT).

Their legal bid followed moves by the former Country Liberal Party almost a decade ago to acquire seven lots of land in the town to lease out for goat breeding, market gardening and tourism ventures.

The majority of the High Court held the government's power to acquire land "for any purpose whatsoever", including freehold or native title, provided the acquisition was not discriminatory.

It is also compelled to pay just compensation.

Sooner or later, some government is going to have to rule a line under all these aboriginal claims, or else we will have to demand our glass beads and blankets back.
I sure hope they know where they put them!