Indigenous affairsCourt or tribunalExists today
Aboriginal Land Commissioner
1977 – present
Statutory office, usually held by a judge, that inquires into traditional Aboriginal land claims in the Northern Territory under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 and reports to the Minister with recommendations on the grant of land.
How it came into existence
Created by the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, which commenced on 26 January 1977; Justice John Toohey was appointed the first Aboriginal Land Commissioner in 1977.
Legislation: Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976
Changes during its life
- 5 June 1997The deadline for lodging new traditional land claims, set by 1987 amendments to the Act, took effect; the Commissioner continued to deal with claims already lodged.
Main functions
- Inquiry into traditional land claims
- Reports and recommendations to the Minister
- Inquiry into detriment and other matters referred by the Minister
- Hearings on country with claimants
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Lineage
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Sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.