The Community Living Areas Act, which passed through the NT Legislative Assembly in October, failed to live up to the terms of the Agreement. It did not provide proper controls over mining on the living areas nor adequate statutory rights of access to the areas. Also, the time frame for processing excision applications could see applicants waiting a further two years for title.

The stock routes and reserve areas due to become Aboriginal land represent only one quarter of the total stock routes and reserves that are under claim by the land councils on behalf of traditional owners.

In his second reading speech the Chief Minister made clear that his Bill was ‘not about the recognition of Aboriginal traditional affiliation…(but)…the provision of land to meet residential needs’.

(Taken from Land Rights News – November 1989)