All six South West Native Title Settlement Agreements registered

• All six South West Native Title Settlement Indigenous Land Use Agreements have been registered with the National Native Title Tribunal
• Significant step towards commencement of the South West Native Title Settlement for the Noongar community and the State of Western Australia

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt has welcomed today's decision by the Native Title Registrar to register the six South West Native Title Settlement Agreements.

This landmark decision is a significant step towards commencement of the South West Native Title Settlement for the Noongar community and the State of Western Australia.

The South West Native Title Settlement will resolve all native title claims in the South-West in exchange for about $1.3 billion in land and other benefits. As part of the settlement, the Parliament of Western Australia passed the Noongar Recognition Act, recognising the Noongar people as the traditional owners of the South-West.

Today's decision follows amendments to the Native Title Act passed last year which provided validation of four of the South-West settlement Indigenous Land Use Agreements that were subject to a Federal Court challenge in 2017.

Although the agreements have been successfully registered, there is still the possibility that some objectors may seek judicial review in the Federal Court. The settlement will commence only after all legal proceedings have been exhausted.

The State Government and the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council will continue to work together to ensure the successful implementation of all six agreements for the Noongar community and the State of Western Australia as a whole.

Comments attributed to Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt:

"The Noongar community has been waiting a long time, and have worked incredibly hard to see this agreement progress.

"This will be one of the most significant native title agreements in the country, and will provide social, economic and cultural outcomes for Noongar people. The benefits of this agreement will flow to Noongar people for generations to come.

"The settlement is for all Noongar people, and I would urge everyone to get behind the settlement to ensure that the flow of benefits to the Noongar community can commence as soon as possible."

Minister's office - 6552 5900