<
https://theconversation.com/terra-nullius-has-been-overturned-now-we-must-reverse-aqua-nullius-and-return-water-rights-to-first-nations-people-180037>
"Terra nullius has been overturned. Now we must reverse aqua nullius and return
water rights to Traditional Owners.
In recent decades, important progress has been made on land rights for
Traditional Owners, with more than 50% of Australia under some form of
Indigenous title (including non-exclusive native title). But until now, we’ve
had much less progress on water rights.
For millennia, Indigenous Australians maintained all water in Australia. After
European colonisation, the rights to water were stolen. Almost none of it has
come back. Where did the rest of the water go? Overwhelmingly, to settlers who
used them to expand their agricultural interests.
Victoria has now begun to return water to Traditional Owners. Last week, the
government returned 2.5 gigalitres (GL) to Gunditj Mirring in Victoria’s
south-west. Earlier this year, 1.36GL was set aside for Traditional Owners in
northern Victoria, and in late 2020, 2GL from the Mitchell River was returned
to Gurnaikurnai in Gippsland. While welcome, this is only a start.
Victoria’s recent returns make it the leader in the eastern states, but
competition is scarce. To date, there have been no tangible water handbacks in
New South Wales and Queensland."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
