The peak body for Traditional Owners in the southern part of the Murray Darling Basin, the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) says changes to the Commonwealth Water Act 2007, introduced into Federal Parliament this week are a small step towards water justice for Aboriginal people.
The Bill includes some small changes that will help to reinforce the importance of proper Indigenous engagement in Basin Plan implementation.
The group says the Bill falls short of implementing key recommendations proposed by Aboriginal organisations to improve access to water for cultural, spiritual and economic purposes.
MLDRIN Chair Darren Perry says these changes help to consolidate the work of Aboriginal organisations over the last ten years to have Aboriginal water rights and Cultural Flows recognised in Australia’s water management framework.
Mr Perry says what we need now is a genuine national conversation about recognising the rights of Aboriginal people to access and own water entitlements on their traditional lands.
Image: MLDRIN Chair, Darren Perry