✦ Plain-English Summary

Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment (Jabiru) 2020

What it does

This bill changes how land rules work in the town of Jabiru in the Northern Territory. It removes old categories that classified different types of Jabiru land and simplifies the process for leasing land, while keeping stronger protections for the nearby Kakadu National Park's heritage values.

Why it matters

Jabiru is built on Aboriginal land, and these changes aim to make it easier to manage the town's future development. The new rules still protect Kakadu's World Heritage status, so environmental and cultural values aren't compromised—but the old restrictions on different land zones no longer apply.

Key details

• Removes outdated land categories: The old "category A, B, and C Jabiru land" classifications are scrapped, streamlining land administration.
• Lease conditions tightened for Kakadu protection: Before any lease is granted, the Minister must now check that it won't harm Kakadu National Park's World Heritage values or other natural and cultural heritage.
• Comes into effect immediately: The changes take effect the day after the bill receives Royal Assent (the Governor-General's sign-off).

Official Description

Amends the: Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 to: remove the requirement that the term of the Jabiru township lease be 99 years to allow for a shorter term between 40 and 99 years; remove the requirement that the initial grant of the township lease can only be to the Commonwealth; clarify that the new township lease will not automatically extend the term of existing Jabiru subleases beyond the term of the current town head lease; and remove redundant Jabiru-specific leasing provisions; and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to make a minor consequential amendment.

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

No votes yet.

No votes were recorded for this bill.