Dear Senators Chamarette and Margetts, Dreaming Songlines do not stop at the fences cattlemen have recently put across the First Peoples living countries. Dreaming is strong. That is a fact of life, if not yet of Canberra law. That law has been made by men seeking to dominant life with their strange image of themselves as Boss. Surviving First Peoples must hold onto the common law right to argue that native title is not totally extinguished by pastoral lease.
Good legislation matches law with reality.
They are blind to Dreaming. If the Native Title Bill must be rushed, it needs to be amended to take in account the Commonwealth Government's special obligation to look after the rights of First Peoples in its Northern Territory. Restoring balance, decency and fair play to all of Australian life requires Pastoral lease land in the Northern Territory to be put into Category B of the Native Title Bill. It may be a last chance for gentle healing to take place. This will provide a chance to show that living together is possible.