The biggest Indigenous Land Use Agreement in Australia that was set to be finalised on July 1 2016, has been put on hold due to legal proceedings brought forward by objectors.
The deal orchestrated by the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council and the West Australian Government would see six nations, covering Perth and surrounding regions, extinguish native title rights in exchange for land, housing and $1.3 billion given throughout 12 years.
Although the ILUA was signed by Traditional Owners, controversy surrounding the conduct of authorisation meetings has prompted the court case.
SWALSC CEO Wayne Nannup says the people with objections have a right to oppose them but there has been plenty of support from the community.
Bibbulmun man Mervyn Eades says the reality of First Nations people taking their own representatives to court should show there are deep concerns.
