Federal appeal on Nyoongar native title disappointing, but true to form
"Mr Ruddock's decision to appeal against Nyoongar title is disappointing, but entirely predictable," said Senator Rachel
Siewert in Perth today.
"Given the Attorney General's recent alarmist comments about Perth's beaches and parklands being under threat, not to
mention the spate of recent legislative and administrative changes undermining Aboriginal communities, this challenge is
entirely true to form," she said.
Senator Siewert was responding to the announcement by the Attorney
General that the Commonwealth would appeal against the recent decision to grant the Nyoongar people native title in the
Perth Metropolitan area.
"Native title is very clearly the next target on the Federal government's agenda," said Senator Siewert.
"It is likely that by the time this appeal is heard we will be seeing legislation in the Senate that significantly
changes the Native Title Act."
Senator Siewert has renewed her call to the WA government to put aside its challenge and enter into negotiations with
the Nyoongar people.