Minister congratulates Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation on legal victory

• The Federal Court of Australia has today recognised an exclusive native title claim made by Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation
• Decision grants exclusive Native Title over 2,700 square kilometres just north of the Karijini National Park

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt has congratulated the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation after the Federal Court today recognised their exclusive native title claim.

In a decision handed down by Justice Steven Rares, exclusive native title rights have been granted over all unallocated Crown land in the claimed area and the Yandeeyara Reserve, except for a small area occupied by Rio Tinto's Tom Price railway.

The corporation's claim for exclusive native title of the area was first lodged in 2003, making it one of the longest running native title cases in Australia. 

Comments attributed to Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt:

"I warmly congratulate the Yindjibarndi people on their successful determination of exclusive native title announced today by the Federal Court.

"The Yindjibarndi have proven themselves to be determined and committed advocates in their pursuit of exclusive possession and have won today in the face of not insignificant obstacles over many years.

"The evidence presented by the Yindjibarndi satisfied the court that the Yindjibarndi are entitled to exclusive native title rights and interests over the claimed area and the Yandeeyara Reserve because they had established that 'a manjangu (or stranger) still has to obtain permission from a Yindjibarndi elder before entering or carrying out activity on Yindjibarndi country.

"Like many other litigated areas of native title, this has been a difficult and drawn-out process for the Yindjibarndi people, and has caused fractures within their community. 

"However, today's result is a tremendous victory for the Yindjibarndi people and I hope they are able to unite and work together to ensure they are able to utilise their now recognised native title rights to benefit all members of the Yindjibarndi community."

Minister's office - 6552 5900