The Queensland government has been accused of withholding a list of 15 towns where negotiations could result in land being handed over to Aboriginal corporations as freehold title.
Queensland Natural Resources Minister Scott Stewart revealed the list, which included major settlements such as Mt Isa, Roma and Maryborough, but also small towns such as Duchess, with a population of just 53.
Under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 (ALA), Aboriginal corporations could establish “inalienable freehold” in regional towns across Queensland encompassing 45,810 residents, according to papers tabled in parliament.
The list also includes major tourist destination towns in K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) and Rainbow Beach.
Allegations of “secret land grabs” have been circulating since residents of the listed Queensland border town of Toobeah said that even at a community forum they were kept in the dark about 95 per cent of the town and $2 million worth of land being given away.
Mr Stewart was then asked a question by former One Nation MP Steve Andrew about a notice in Parliament in May about the consultation process and how the land transfer would affect residents’ “property rights” and also about the list tabled on Friday.
In a response filed in June, the department said the ALA did not require “broad community consultation,” but that a Town of Toobeah forum had been held in March.
Mr Andrew said land transfers were being carried out “without consultation”, claiming negotiations were taking place between the state government and corporations, sometimes involving local councils.
Some of the Queensland towns where Aboriginal corporations trade freehold titles
“The results of the (Voice) referendum showed that people are fed up with division, with all this ‘them’ and ‘us’ stuff,” he said. The courier mail in June.
“I don’t know why the government is suddenly putting pressure on us. Why aren’t they being open and honest?”
On Friday, Mr Andrew accused the government of failing to be “open and transparent”.
“If there is nothing to fear, why so much secrecy?” he asked.
Why aren’t they more transparent and offer an open understanding of what is happening?
‘If they had been honest and open from the beginning, we wouldn’t even get to the point of being afraid.
Residents in the Queensland border town of Toobeah are furious over what they call a “secret land grab”.
“There is no point in coming out into the light and saying ‘there is nothing to fear’.”
Queensland Libertarian Senate candidate Jim Willmott also came out fighting.
“What this could do is restrict access to our favorite fishing spots, our favorite parks and recreation areas, our favorite reserves or beach access areas that we’ve had access to for generations,” Willmott said in an X post.
‘Minister Stuart does not believe that open and transparent consultation is necessary in these areas.
“What the hell is going on? We have a government that doesn’t believe it needs to consult with the people who are going to be affected by these transfers.”
Mr Stewart defended the agreements, saying the land “can never be sold” and would be held in trust for First Nations people.
“The granting of land to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people recognises the spiritual, social, historical, cultural and economic significance of the land to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” he said.
Queensland Labor Premier Steven Miles said the land deals were not for councils but for “discrete parcels… that have relevance to the applicants” and said all proper processes had been followed.
“I am proud of my government’s commitment to working alongside First Nations peoples to recognize their deep spiritual connection to their land and support the preservation of their culture, customs and traditions,” he said.
‘Applications are treated confidentially and with cultural sensitivity, but to be clear, an application does not guarantee that the land will become transferable, nor does it give the applicant the right to be granted the land under the law.
“There are processes set out in legislation which the Department of Resources follows, in consultation with stakeholders and local councils, before making any decisions. I am advised that this has been the case since 1991.”
Mr Stewart also revealed that 6.7 million hectares of land, or 3.93 per cent of the state, had been transferred under the Aboriginal Land Act or Torres Strait Islander Land Act since 1991, and this included 11 parcels of land transferred in 2023-24.
Department of Resources figures show the state government has declared nearly 70 parcels of land transferable since 2001.
Queensland Labor Premier Steven Miles said the land deals were not for municipalities but for “discrete parcels”