Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) applauds the West Australian Government decision to end its litigation against the Federal Court Native Title decision over the Perth metropolitan area.

"I understand the Noongar people are very pleased about this, it is a historic turning point in Western Australian government policy and a matter of national significance." said the National Director of ANTaR, Mr Mark Drury.

The WA Government has recognised Noongar people as the traditional custodians of Perth and the South-West in many public ceremonies and yet failed to acknowledge their possible native title rights.

In September 2006, Federal Court Judge Murray Wilcox found the Noongar people held native title in the Perth metropolitan area on land where title had not been extinguished.

The State Government subsequently appealed the ruling and in April 2008 the Federal Court, while acknowledging Noongar people as a cultural bloc, left the question of native title in Perth open for further consideration.

The Perth metropolitan area is part of a wider claim covering Australia's south-west, including major centres such as Bunbury, Albany and Northam.

"Along with the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council, ANTaR welcomes the news and looks forward to the negotiations" Said Mr Drury.

The WA Cabinet has agreed to negotiate with the South West
Aboriginal Land and Sea Council to resolve the claim.

"This is a really important acknowledgement of the rights of the Noongar people of the South West of Western Australia. I think that many of us all around Australia will be watching to see the outcomes of these negotiations." Said Mr Drury

Media Contacts
Mark Drury (Sydney) 0448 722 942
Stephen Hall (Perth) 0408 426 263