News
- Social Justice Commissioner visits QSNTS
- QSNTS welcomes new PLO
- Website Review
- Message Tree - Crossword Results - Volume 1 Issue 1 February 2010
- Federal Court Native Title Committee No 5 invites QSNTS Lawyer on board
- QSNTS launches new Strategic Plan 2010-2013
- QLD local government leads way for native title agreements
- CEO speaks at Aurora Project's national research program
- CEO Deputy Chair of NNTC
- QSNTS delivers lecture at University of Queensland
- Native Title Amendment Act 2009
- Kevin Smith appointed CEO
- New MOU with NQLC signed
- CEO pushes for native title reform
Social Justice Commissioner visits QSNTS
26 May 2010
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mr Mick Gooda attended a meeting at QSNTS’ Brisbane Office last week. Mr Gooda spoke with staff about the role of the Commission and the value of human rights, the importance of native title and the future direction of the Commission in contributing to achieving the objectives of the Close the Gap campaign.
Staff were greatly appreciative of Mr Gooda taking the time to share his wisdom, experience and vision with QSNTS, it was an informative and inspirational experience for all. QSNTS looks forward to continuing its work with the Commission on its annual Native Title Report to improve the native title environment to be a fairer and more outcomes focused system for Traditional Owners.
For more information on
Close the Gap - www.closethegap.com.au
Human Rights Commission - www.hreoc.gov.au
QSNTS welcomes new PLO
On 6 April 2010, QSNTS welcomed new Principal Legal Officer, Shaz Rind to the organisation.
Shaz Rind is a descendant of the Yamatji Peoples of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Shaz has 10 years’ post admission experience in NSW and WA in native title, commercial law, criminal law and anti-discrimination litigation. Shaz is currently the Deputy PLO of the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (NTRB for the Pilbara region) where he has had carriage of some very complex future act negotiations and large native title claims. Shaz was also a solicitor with NTSCorp and was involved in the Githabul consent determination in NSW as well as the Crescent Head ILUA (Dunghutti Peoples).
Shaz brings to QSNTS a breadth of native title experience from across the country in all the various functions under the Native Title Act. As an Aboriginal lawyer, he is keen to bring his personal and professional experiences to QSNTS to assist the Traditional Owners of this region to achieve their native title objectives.
Website Review
Six months has passed since QSNTS launched its new website as part of its communication strategy. In an effort to constantly improve our services to clients and stakeholders, we would greatly appreciate your feedback on the useability and effectiveness of the QSNTS website.
To assist QSNTS to be the best it can be, please complete the survey by clicking on this link. You can email the completed survey to katie.handford@qsnts.com.au or post to
Communication/PR Officer
QSNTS
PO Box 10832
Adelaide Street
Brisbane, QLD 4000
Message Tree - Crossword Results - Volume 1 Issue 1 February 2010
ACROSS: Mick Gooda, Mount Isa, Federal Court, CEO, Message Tree, NTA, Reform
DOWN: Capacity Development, Statutory Services, Registration Test, Wangan Jagalingou, Website, Aspirations, Native Title, Brisbane
Federal Court Native Title Committee No 5 invites QSNTS Lawyer on board
11 January 2010
QSNTS Legal Officer, Ted Besley is now a member of the Federal Court’s Native Title Committee No 5. Mr Besley has worked in native title for over eight years and was formally invited to join Committee No 5 in October 2009. The Committee meets to develop strategies and mechanisms for improving the native title system throughout Australia. QSNTS congratulates Mr Besley for his appointment. The Committee is scheduled to meet in February 2010.
QSNTS launches new Strategic Plan 2010-2013
18 November 2009
QSNTS has undergone major change, growth and development over the past 18 months, proving to be a challenging period for clients, staff and broader stakeholders alike. Parallel to QSNTS’ internal changes there has been external adjustments with the Native Title Act subjected to yet another round of amendments. In response to the changing native title environment, a Strategic Plan has been developed to provide QSNTS with the direction and vision necessary to be a lead native title service provider to create real outcomes for Traditional Owners’.
The Strategic Plan embraces a Vision of ‘realising Traditional Owners’ aspirations to land and waters through professional native title services’. The Vision encompasses QSNTS’ goals and statutory mandates as outlined in the Native Title Act 1993. It identifies five specific strategic priorities that aim to collaboratively reform and improve the native title system to allow for better and more timely results whilst enhancing the capacity of Traditional Owners’ to enable sustainable futures for their communities.
Please feel free to contact QSNTS; we appreciate feedback and comments on QSNTS’ performance and interaction with you.
QLD local government leads the way for native title agreements
4 November 2009
Today local government officials from Boulia, Cloncurry and Mt Isa Shire Councils will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Bularnu, Waluwarra and Wangkayujuru People in Mt Isa.
The MOU is to establish negotiation protocols for future agreement making and is a concrete step forward for both parties, paving the way for resolving native title issues.
The Bularnu, Waluwarra and Wangkayujuru(BWW) Traditional Owners’ have been fighting for recognition of their native title rights and interests for over ten years- the signing of the MOU brings them closer to achieving a final resolution.
CEO speaks at Aurora Project's national research program
29 October 2009
Native title research staff from across Australia gathered at the University Of Queensland where Kevin Smith, CEO of QSNTS delivered a speech on the future of research practices in native title. Kevin spoke alongside law lecturer David Yarrow and native title anthropologist David Martin yesterday afternoon, Wednesday 28th October. Together, they explored ways in which NTRB (Native Title Research Body) research staff can work with NTRB legal staff to ensure better outcomes for claims and agreements. Kevin spoke on the difference between law and research as professional disciplines and how the two can work collaboratively to enhance work effectiveness and achieve better results for Traditional Owners. The presentation was part of the Aurora Project’s second Regional Native Title Research Practices program for 2009. The program is designed for research oriented NTRB/NTSP staff to develop key knowledge and skills required in their native title research work. For more information on next year's research program and the Aurora Project go to www.auroraproject.com.au
CEO Deputy Chair of NNTC
9 October 2009
Kevin Smith, CEO of QSNTS was nominated and accepted the position of Deputy Chair for the National Native Title Council (NNTC) on Friday, 9 October 2009. The vote took place at the NNTC's meeting in Melbourne which was held in conjunction with FaHCSIA's NTRB and NTSP CEO Forum. As Deputy Chair, Kevin's work will involve driving the NNTC's reform agenda at a national and international level and develping policy positions for submissions on native title and related legislative and administrative issues.
QSNTS staff delivers Indigenous health lecture at University of Queensland
6 October 2009
How is native title connected to health? Maurice Serico, QSNTS' Human Resource Officer delivered a speech to trainee allied health professionals at the University of Queensland (UQ) today. About forty trainees attended the lecture that explored how access to land and the resources on land can contribute to healthy lifestyles and diets. The talk also explained how the native title process can allow Indigenous groups to assert their rights which would allow them to maintain or revive healthy lifestyle practices. As a result of the lecture, Maurice has been invited to mentor students at the UQ Ipswhich campus.
Native Title Amendment Act 2009 starts today!
18 September 2009
The Native Title Amendment Bill 2009 was passed through Parliament on 17 September 2009. It introduces reforms that grant the Federal Court greater power to manage native title claims under the premise negotiated settlements will be more effectively identified and progressed.
The provisions of the new Act commence today (18 Sept 2009) and provide for:
- the Court to make consent orders about matters beyond native title that would assist with the negotiation of broader agreements;
- recognitiion of the way Indigenous communities record traditional laws and customs; and
- streamlining the recognition processes for native title representative bodies.
The Native Title Amendment Act 2009 will soon be available on the 'What's New' section of ComLaw (www.comlaw.gov.au).
Kevin Smith appointed as CEO for QSNTS!
1 September 2009
Mr. Eddie Senatore, Chair of the QSNTS Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Smith as CEO of Queensland South Native Title Services. Kevin Smith successfully led the amalgamation and incorporation of the former Gurang and Greater Mt Isa native title representative body areas into the QSNTS operations. Mr. Smith has been acting in the position of CEO since 1 May 2008 and was formally appointed on 1 September 2009.
Since Mr. Smith’s involvement, QSNTS’ native title representative body activities have grown from representing 23 native title claims and negotiations to 47 which span over half the state of Queensland. Under his direction and leadership, three separately operating offices have been centralised. Unified workplace practices have been applied throughout the head office located in Brisbane’s CBD and the two regional offices in Bundaberg and Mount Isa.
Kevin Smith currently represents QSNTS on the National Native Title Council, is a member of the AIATSIS Native Title Research and Advisory Committee, and the Minerals Council of Australia Indigenous Leaders Dialogue. Mr. Smith is a leading advocate for native title reform, actively pushing for legislative and administrative changes to the Native Title Act and broader land settlements. He regularly participates in national conferences and forums such as the National Native Title Conference and the Annual Native Title and Cultural Heritage Conference leading discussions on how to better the native title system to allow fairer processes and better results for Traditional Owners.
Immediately prior to Mr. Smith’s appointment at QSNTS, he held the position of Queensland State Manager at the National Native Title Tribunal for six years. Mr Smith holds a Bachelor of Laws degree, is admitted as a solicitor and has senior executive experience in managing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
Management and staff are now working through QSNTS' new strategic direction which will be demonstrated by the production of a strategic plan to be launched shortly.
The Board of QSNTS is confident with this appointment. QSNTS now has both the leadership and the staff to build on its strengths to ensure the sustainability of its client service focus.
Eddie Senatore
Director QSNTS
New Memorandum of Understanding with North Queensland Land Council (NQLC) and QSNTS signed!
As a result of the operational amalgamation that came into effect 1st July, 2008, North Queensland Land Council and QSNTS boundaries expanded. As a consequence a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) had to be agreed by both organisations and we’re pleased to announce the MOU has been signed.
Additional news - with new claims lodged in the southern region of QSNTS’ service area, additional claims and projects were included in the existing MOU between QSNTS and NTS Corp (New South Wales Native Title Services).
CEO pushes for better native title system!
Our CEO, Kevin Smith will be making a presentation on Native Title Reform: Towards a Better System at the 16th Annual Native Title and Cultural Heritage Conference 2009 on Monday 26th October. Mr Smith will be presenting on changes such as the presumption of continuity and exploring negotiated outcomes such as broader land settlements to make the native title system fairer for Traditional Owners. See Events for more details.
| Title | Summary | Date |
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| Website Survey 38.1 KB |
28 Apr 2010 |