Retrospective validation is another bit of legal jargon I came across. It means that unlawful state government grants in states like Queensland, which flouted the Keating Government's Native Title Act, will now be made legal. The amendments are racially discriminatory as they extinguish the property rights of only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Not only will this set a disastrous precedent for our Asian and Pacific neighbours looking for ways out on human rights, it will send yet another message to our trading partners that Australia is a deeply racially-prejudiced country with a 'White Australia' agenda. The amendments are environmentally irresponsible and will lead to massive damage and loss if fragile pastoral lands are upgraded for other than pastoral uses.
Current leases enable governments to protect pastoral land.
The weight of scientific authority has consistently and strongly been against more intensive use of the rangelands. I know more now, though still not enough. I know that we can still act to stop these unjust proposals becoming law. It can be stopped or significantly amended. It's not too late, so write to Kim Beazley today.