[20] Therefore, in developing policy that enables options such as housing and land leasing for Indigenous communities, the Government must ensure that
Indigenous control over decision - making about the aspirations for their lands is maintained andadequate information is provided to enable individuals to make informed decisions.
I have also previously said that one of the key factors that determines whether an economic development project will be successful is whether there is
Indigenous control over decision - making.
Not exact matches
If, nine and a half years ago, I were asked to predict the outcomes that the recognition of native title might deliver to
Indigenous people, I would have identified three broad areas: social outcomes from having the laws and traditions of
Indigenous culture recognised as worthy of equal respect to those of the dominant culture; economic outcomes from giving
Indigenous people
control over a valuable asset, land; and finally, political outcomes from recognising the traditional
decision - making structures that, like so much of
Indigenous identity, revolve around land.
The principles of self - determination and effective participation require that
Indigenous people have
control over their land and that, in respect of issues that affect them, no
decisions be taken without their informed consent.
However, this focus on secure tenure is not about assisting
Indigenous people to make use of their land — it is about governments having
control over decision - making.
The Social Justice Report 2001 identifies the need for a long term financial commitment from governments as necessary to increasing
Indigenous participation and
control over decision making processes at the community level.
It made the following observations about the factors needed to increase
Indigenous participation and
control over decision - making processes at a community level:
The question of
control over funding is important and concerns were expressed at current funding arrangements, and the lack of
control by and involvement of
Indigenous people in funding - related
decision making processes.
Because the non-exclusive native title sea rights must be shared with all others with public rights of navigation and fishing, the common law position, as stated by the majority, does not address the requirement of
Indigenous control over Indigenous resources, the requirement of informed consent before major
decisions are made, nor the acknowledgement of the role of
Indigenous people in ensuring sustainable environmental management.