Federal MPs urged to support C'wlth revised native title legislation

1/7/98

National Party Leader and Regional Development Minister Hendy Cowan says the time is long overdue to end uncertainty over native title.

"The proposed amendments to the Federal Government's 10-point native title plan may not be perfect, but they do appear to offer a workable arrangement so far as native title procedures are concerned," Mr Cowan said.

"They certainly are an advance on the situation which now prevails.

"The impasse over native title legislation has gone on for far too long and is not in the best interests of Western Australia.

"As with any new legislation, there may be need for further changes in the future. However, we should seize this chance to clear the bottleneck."

Mr Cowan urged all Federal MPs from WA to support the Government's revised native title legislation when it comes before the Parliament.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 9222-9595