- Third annual payment of $68 million made to the Noongar Boodja Trust
- Payment supports Noongar Corporations under the South West Native Title Settlement
- Funding continues to grow Noongar Boodja Trust wealth for future generations and drive long-term outcomes for Traditional Owners in partnership with the WA Government
The McGowan Government has paid $68 million to the Noongar Boodja Trust as part of the ongoing payments relating to the South West Native Title Settlement.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Tony Buti said the significant disbursement was the third of 12 annual State payments. This latest funding round takes the Trust payments to over $192 million since the Settlement commenced in 2021.
Each annual payment includes a Future Fund payment of $50 million plus indexation, and an Operations Fund Payment of $10 million plus indexation. It is one of many social, cultural and economic benefits from the Settlement that will flow to the Noongar people for generations to come.
The Future Fund is protected to enable its value to grow over time so that future Noongar generations will benefit from the Settlement.
The Operations Fund finances the operations of the six Noongar Regional Corporations and the Central Services Corporation (collectively the Noongar Corporations).
Along with the three annual State payments, the following outcomes have been achieved as part of the Agreement:
In 2021, following formal commencement of the Settlement, the Trust was established, and the initial Noongar Boodja Trustee (Trustee) appointed. A Noongar Advisory Company (NAC) was established to provide advice to the Trustee. It is anticipated the NAC will transition over 12 years to become the Dedicated Noongar Trustee.
In 2022, six Noongar Regional Corporations (Regional Corporations) were appointed by the Trustee to represent their communities under the Settlement, and signed on as formal parties to the Settlement Agreement. Cultural Advice Committees were elected for each area to support the Regional Corporations in cultural decision making. All six Regional Corporations now have Chief Executive Officers.
The South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) was also appointed last year as the Settlement's Central Services Corporation (CSC). The CSC is providing corporate services support to the Regional Corporations, and is bringing them together regularly through a Noongar Corporations Committee.
The Noongar Corporations are working with the WA Government to prepare to commence significant partnership arrangements in relation to the South-West conservation estate, Aboriginal heritage places, economic participation and community development.
For more information about the South West Native Title Settlement, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/south-west-native-title-settlement
Comments attributed to Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"Over $192 million has now been disbursed to the Noongar Boodja Trust, with the third payment reflecting the continued flow of Settlement benefits to support Noongar driven outcomes for present and future generations.
"The McGowan Government is committed to developing strong partnerships with the Regional Corporations, together with the CSC and Trustee, to realise the aspirations of the Noongar Community, grounded in connection to country, culture and community.
"The Settlement is for all Noongar people, and I continue to encourage all Noongar traditional owners to get involved in their Regional Corporations."
Comments attributed South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Kickett:
"The Settlement, Australia's largest and most extensive native title settlement, provides the support to empower Noongar people to develop economic, social and community outcomes, as well as building a robust and unified Noongar Nation.
"With all six regional corporations having now appointed their Chief Executive Officers, there will be a stronger focus on action at the regional level. SWALSC, as the Central Services Corporation, will work closely with the regional corporations in achieving their mission and maximising outcomes of the Settlement."
Minister's office - 6552 6400
