Media Release

KAP Federal Leader and Member for Kennedy Bob Katter today used his Question without Notice to call on the Prime Minister to pave the way for Title Deeds for First Australians.

“Northern Communities cannot afford fresh fruit and vegetables, this causes numerous deaths from malnutrition, called diabetes.

“Bank finance for a market garden, a commercial enterprise or even a home requires a title deed as security for a loan.

“A local tribunal of Shire Councils, Native Title Holders and Tribal Elders are drafting Title Deeds.

“Will the Government consider endorsing such as legal instruments, the only highway out of the current desert of inaction?” Mr Katter asked.

Mr Katter said that the Prime Minister’s response, which confirmed that Title Deeds for First Australians would be addressed within the Government’s upcoming White Paper on Northern Australia, was still less than effective.

“This is a Government who have one year left to run.

“They talk about white papers, green papers, blue papers and toilet papers, but all I’m interested in is action.

“The biggest issue holding First Australians back is the issue of definitive ownership, which is Title Deeds.

“There is no other way that job creation and economic development can occur.

“It is the same as every other business venture in Australian history – if they want to borrow from a bank, the bank wants the security of a Title Deed for mortgage ability.

“Yet First Australians remain the only people on earth that can’t get a Title Deed to own their own home,” Mr Katter said.

During Mr Katter’s time as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in Queensland during the 1980s over 700 title deeds were issued to First Australians and First Australian communities, yet in the intervening 25 years less than two dozen have been issued.

“Why do the community areas drink – because we have no hope.

“If you can’t own your own house, what’s the point of getting out of bed in the morning?

“If you can’t own your own little cattle station, what’s the point of getting out of bed in the morning?

“If they took away from the people of Cairns or the people of Townsville the right to private property, then they would be faring no better than the rest of us are faring.

“Real ownership of the land through a Title Deed is the only thing that will allow First Australians to borrow money for development,” Mr Katter said.