Parliament looks far north for new ideas

AS PART of a Federal Parliament inquiry into economic engagement with Traditional Owners, Members of Parliament are travelling north to hear new ideas.

The Northern Australia Committee is holding public hearings in Far North Queensland next week, and will hear evidence from Land Councils, Native Title holders, local councils and other stakeholders.

Committee Chair Warren Entsch said that with 78 percent of land in Northern Australia claimed or recognised under statutory land rights or native title, it makes sense for the Committee to speak to the people most connected to those lands.

The Committee will hold public hearings in Cairns, in Hope Vale and on Thursday Island. Programs are available on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Tuesday, 29 October 2019
Time: 9am to 5pm
Location: Council Chambers, 119-145 Spence St, Cairns

Date: Wednesday, 30 October 2019
Time: 10am to 12:30pm
Location: Council Meeting Rooms, Hope Vale

Date: Thursday, 31 October 2019
Time: 9:30am to 12:30pm
Location: Function Room, Grand Hotel, Victoria Parade, Thursday Island

The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

The inquiry commenced in the last Parliament, and was suspended during the election period. To date, the Committee has received 26 submissions and held one public hearing. Further details of the inquiry, including expanded terms of reference, can be found on the Committee’s website.

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