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Native Title
Native Title is the recognition under Australian law by the Federal Court of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people's rights and interests in land and waters according to their traditional laws and customs
Native Title and the Torres Strait Region
Native Title exists on all the islands and claims have been settled on all the islands, with the exception of Kirirri (Hammond). It's expected that this claim will be finalised in the near future.
After a court determines that Native Title exists, a Registered Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC) is set up to hold the Native Title rights and interests on behalf of the Native Title holders. A RNTBC is also called a Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC).
Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs)
The Native Title Act 1993 mandates obtaining consent from the PBC for activities on Native Title land, formalised through an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA). ILUAs are voluntary agreements that must be registered with the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) to be lawful.
Details of the PBCs in TSIRC’s Local Government Area
Top Western Islands: Gudaw Maluligal Nation
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Division 1 - Boigu Island: Malu Kiai (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation RNTBC [ICN 3934]
Native title determination: Gibuma on behalf of the Boigu People v Queensland [2004] FCA 1575 (10 Dec 2004)
- Division 2 - Dauan Island: Dauanalgaw (TSI) Corporation RNTBC [ICN 3510]
Native title determination: Dauan People v Queensland [2000] FCA 1064 (6 July 2000)
- Division 3 - Saibai Island: Saibai Mura Buway (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation RNTBC [ICN 2993]
Native title determination: Saibai People v Queensland [1999] FCA 158 (12 February 1999)
Western Islands: Maluligal Nation
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Division 4 - Mabuiag Island: Goemulgaw (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation RNTBC [ICN 3508]
Native title determination: Mabuiag People v State of Queensland [2000] FCA 1065 (6 July 2000)
- Division 5 - Badu Island: Mura Badulgal (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation RNTBC [ICN 3720]
Native title determination: Nona on behalf of the Badulgal v Queensland [2004] FCA 1578 (14 December 2004)
- Division 6 - Kubin (Moa Island): Mualgal Torres Strait Islanders Corporation RNTBC [ICN 3369]
Native title determination: Mualgal People v Queensland [1999] FCA 157 (12 February 1999)
- Division 7 - St Pauls (Moa Island): Mualgal Torres Strait Islanders Corporation RNTBC [ICN 3369]
Native title determination: Mualgal People v Queensland [1999] FCA 157 (12 February 1999)
Inner Islands: Kaiwalagal Kaurareg Aboriginal Nation
- Division 8 - Kirriri / Hammond Island: no PBC
Native title claim not yet concluded refer to Kaurareg People #3 (QC2010/003) Application Details
Central: Kulkalgal Nation
- Division 9 - Iama / Yam Island: Magani Lagaugal (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation RNTBC [ICN 4017]
Native title determination: David on behalf of the Iama People and Tudulaig v Queensland [2004] FCA 1576 (13 December 2004) - Division 10 - Warraber / Sue Island: Warraberalgal (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation RNTBC [ICN 3613]
Native title determination: Poruma People v Queensland [2000] FCA 1066 (7 July 2000) -
Division 11 - Poruma / Coconut Island: Porumalgal (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation RNTBC [ICN 3612]
Native title determination: Poruma People v Queensland [2000] FCA 1066 (7 July 2000) -
Division 12 - Masig / Yorke Island: Masigalgal (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation RNTBC [ICN 3568]
Native title determination: Masig People v Queensland [2000] FCA 1067 (7 July 2000)
Eastern Islands: Kemer Kemer Meriam Nation
- Division 13 - Ugar / Stephen Island: Ugar Ged Kem Le Zeuber Er Kep Le (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation RNTBC [ICN 3935]
Native title determination: Stephen on behalf of the Ugar People v Queensland [2004] FCA 1574 (9 December 2004) -
Division 14 - Erub / Darnley Island: Erubam Le Traditional Land and Sea Owners (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation RNTBC [ICN 3860]
Native title determination: Mye on behalf of the Erubam Le v Queensland [2004] FCA 1573 (8 December 2004) -
Division 15 - Mer / Murray Island: Mer Gedkem Le (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation RNTBC [ICN 3282]
Native title determination for Mer: Mabo v Queensland (No 2) ("Mabo case") (1992) 175 CLR 1 (3 June 1992)
Native title determination for Waier and Dauar: Andrew Passi on behalf of the Meriam People v Queensland (Includes Corrigendum dated 23 July 2001) [2001] FCA 697 (14 June 2001)
Frequently Asked Questions
Native Title is the recognition under Australian law of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people's traditional rights and interests in land and waters. In the Torres Strait region, Native Title exists on all islands, except for Kirirri (Hammond Island), which is expected to be finalised soon.
Once Native Title is determined by the court, a Registered Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC), also known as a Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC), is established. This body holds the Native Title rights and interests on behalf of the Native Title holders.
Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) are formal agreements required under the Native Title Act 1993 for activities on Native Title land. These agreements must be made with the PBC and registered with the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) to be legally valid.
Contact Us
All enquiries, please contact us:
Phone: 07 4034 5700
Email: info@tsirc.qld.gov.au
Postal Address: PO Box 7336 Cairns QLD 4870
Contact a PBC:
Should you need to contact the PBCs directly their contact details can be accessed through:
ORIC (the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations)
Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Corporation (“GBK”)