SANTS acknowledges the Traditional Owners across South Australia and their continuing connection to land, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
Wirangu No 2 Native Title Consent Determination
A native title claim first made by the Wirangu people on August 28, 1997 will be partially finalised with a consent determination to be held at Streaky Bay on Thursday December 8 at 11am.
The handing down of the consent determination will be a historic day, recognising the Wirangu people as the Traditional Owners of Country from Acraman Creek in the North to Port Kenny in the South and inland to the Flinders Highway.
SANTS would like to congratulate named applicants Caroline Wilson; Cindy Morrison; Barry Dean (Jack) Johncock; Elizabeth Pool; Neville Miller; Kenneth Wilson; Vernon (Penong) Miller, who have fought hard on behalf of Wirangu people to reach their consent determination.
SANTS Board Update
SANTS would like to welcome and congratulate our new Chairperson, Joshua Haynes, a respected Yandruwanha Yawarawarka man, who also acts as the Chair of the Marree and Innamincka NRM Group and a Director of the Cooper and Eromanga Basin Aboriginal Executive Committee.
We acknowledge our outgoing Chair, Mirning and Kokatha woman April Lawrie, whose hard work and commitment to good governance helped SANTS provide professional support to Aboriginal nations in pursuit of their native title aspirations.
Have your say on the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act
In South Australia, the renewable energy industry is expanding, with many developments including hydrogen plants proposed on native title land, waters and Aboriginal freehold.
In December, The Department for Energy and Mining is seeking input from PBCs and community members on the proposed development of a Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act to regulate large-scale hydrogen and renewable energy projects on their land and waters.
Attend information sessions below or register your interest for the online webinar here.
• Clare: 5 Dec, 2022 - 9:30am-12pm - Clare Town Hall / Ennis Park, 229 Main Street, Clare
• Port Pirie: 5 Dec, 2022 - 2pm-5pm - TLAP Office, 125 Ellen Street, Port Pirie
• Adrossan: 6 Dec, 2022 - 9am-1:30pm - Ardrossan Town Hall, 9 First Street, Ardrossan
• Berri: 6 Dec, 2022 - 1pm-5pm - Riverland Central Plaza, Kay Avenue, Berri (next to Coles)
• Mount Gambier: 8 Dec, 2022 - 11am-5pm - Marketplace, 248 Penola Road, Mount Gambier (next to Woolworths)
• Port Lincoln: 13 Dec 2022 - 11am-5pm - 66 Tasman Terrace, Port Lincoln (foot path area)
Native title leadership needs to form the foundations of a Voice
We support the state government's commitment to establish a First Nations Voice to Parliament. It is a fantastic opportunity for First Nations in South Australia to continue the legacy of our Elders and leaders before us who have fought for our recognition, rights, and interests.
However, it is important that native title holders’ views, interests, and aspirations are considered and embedded within any Voice to Parliament, says SA Native Title CEO Keith Thomas.
Government to legislate new protections after Juukan Gorge destruction
The federal government will legislate new protections for Indigenous heritage sites after Rio Tinto's destruction of a sacred rock shelter at Juukan Gorge in Western Australia.
A parliamentary inquiry recommended new protections for thousands of heritage sites across Australia and an overhaul of how native title operated after the mining company blasted 46,000-year-old sites despite warnings from Traditional Owners.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the government had accepted all but one recommendation from last year's parliamentary inquiry, including to legislate new cultural heritage protections and review the native title act.
A state parliamentary inquiry into Aboriginal governance in South Australia, prompted by former premier and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Steven Marshall, has wrapped up with four recommendations.
The report, conducted by parliament’s Aboriginal Lands Standing Committee, investigated issues of Aboriginal governance standards within community-controlled organisations.
SANTS supports open and transparent governance by all First Nations corporations.
The recommendations from the Final Report Inquiry Into Aboriginal Governance are:
1. The Committee recommends that the Trustee Act 1936 (SA) be reviewed by the Attorney-General, with a view to amendments to increase accountability in relation to trusts that contain public monies whether from State or Federal sources (for example, Native Title compensation monies) to apply to trusts already established under that legislation.
2. The Committee also recommends that the Trustee Act 1936 (SA) be amended to offer inexpensive mechanisms for beneficiaries (including common law holders) to inspect the records in relation to the management and expenditure of trust monies being invested on their behalf. The proposed Western Australian Charitable Trusts legislation may provide the Attorney-General with a model for potential reforms in the South Australian jurisdiction.
3. The Committee recommends that the Attorney-General introduce a Bill that amends the Associations Incorporation Act 1985 (SA), to increase oversight and dispute intervention powers for the Commissioner for Corporate Affairs. The Committee encourages the Parliament to pass the previously proposed reforms provided for in the Associations Incorporation (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2021, in order to increase the transparency of Aboriginal incorporated associations for community members.
4. The Committee also recommends that the Commissioner for Corporate Affairs, within Consumer and Business Services, be resourced to provide regular governance training and education to Aboriginal community-controlled associations around their obligations under the Associations Incorporation Act 1985 (SA). This includes providing training on any new amendments arising from the proposed reforms, on good governance practices and on communication. The Committee recommends that such training include the provision of necessary template documents, including flow charts and visible representation of requirements, which can be tailored to the particular association.
Join the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance
The First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance is a coalition of First Nations member organisations working to improve protections for our precious cultural heritage.
Send the Alliance an email confirming you want to join with the following information:
1) Name of organisation
2) Contact name, title,
3) Email phone and address details
4) Logo – jpeg file (to appear on our website)
First Nations of South Australia Aboriginal Corporation (FNSAAC)
The First Nations of SA Aboriginal Corporation (FNSAAC) is the peak body for First Nations across South Australia made up of representatives of Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs). FNSAAC has the authoritative voice on issues relating to South Australian Aboriginal people's heritage and wellbeing. To sign up as a PBC or find out more, please contact melissam@nativetitlesa.org.
SA Native Title Services - Newsletter
Our mailing address is:
enquiries@nativetitlesa.org
