70 Native title exemplifies this. Industry and governments must accept that the efficiency and profitability of various industries cannot be premised on the infringement and neglect of the human rights of Indigenous peoples. It would be a serious breach of Australia's international obligations if government procedures permitted such an outcome. It should be clear from what I have said that many of the provisions in the NTA reflect requirements that are minimum standards in various international instruments. In some aspects, particularly validation, the NTA falls below those standards.
Native title is the legal expression of one of Indigenous peoples' most fundamental human rights.
Protection of human rights must be at the forefront of the interpretation of the Act. Likewise, any assessment or review of the operation of the NTA must have the protection of Indigenous human rights as the primary concern. Any future changes to the NTA must be carefully considered in reference to the protection of our rights and must uphold the standards that the Australian Government is obliged to provide under various international instruments. These people haven't lost this land, they are now recognised under Balanda law. In our own law it has been recognised for thousands of years, and that law remains.