The 15 towns where Aboriginal corporations want freehold land (2024)

The Queensland government has been been accused of hiding a list of 15 towns where negotiations could see land handed over to Aboriginal corporations as freehold title.

Queensland Natural Resources Minister Scott Stewart revealed the list - which included major settlements such asMt Isa, Roma and Maryborough but also tiny towns such asduch*ess with a population of just 53.

Under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 (ALA), Aboriginal corporations could establish'inalienable freehold' at regional towns dotted around Queensland encompassing 45,810 residents, according to documents tabled in parliament.

The list also includes major tourist destination towns onK'gari (formerly Fraser Island) and Rainbow Beach.

Accusations of 'secret land grabs' have been swirling since residents of the Queenslandborder town of Toobeah, which is on the list, said that up until a community forum they were kept in the dark about 95 per cent of the town and $2million worth of land being given away.

Following this former One Nation MP Steve Andrew asked Mr Stewart a question on notice in parliament in May about the consultation process and how the land transfer would impact residents' 'property rights' and also for the list tabled on Friday.

In a response tabled in June, the department said the ALA did not require 'broad community consultation' but a Toobeah town forum had been held in March.

Mr Andrew said the land transfers were being made 'with no consultation', claiming negotiations were held between the state government and the corporations with local councils sometimes involved.

'The results of the (Voice) referendum showed that people are just sick of division – they're sick of all the 'them' and 'us' stuff,' he told The Courier-Mail in June.

'I don't know why the government's pushing it all of a sudden. How come they aren't being open and honest?'

Speaking on Friday, Mr Andrew accused the government of not being 'open and transparent'.

'If there's nothing to fear, why the secrecy?' he said.

'Why aren't they being more transparent and giving an open understanding of what's happening?

'If they were honest and open in the beginning, we wouldn't even get to the point of being fearful.

'It's no good coming out after the fact and saying "there's nothing to fear".'

Queensland Libertarian Senate candidateJim Willmott also came out swinging.

'What this could do is restrict access to our favourite fishing spots, our favourite parks and recreational areas, our favourite reserves or beach access areas where we have had access to for generations,' Mr Willmott claimed in an X post.

'The minister Stuart doesn't think they need an open and transparent consultation in these areas.

'What the hell is going on? We have a government that doesn't think they have to consult with the people these transfers are going to effect.'

Mr Stewart defended the deals saying the land 'can never be sold' and would be held in trust for First Nations people.

'The grant of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander land recognises the spiritual, social, historical, cultural and economic importance of land to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people,' he said.

Queensland's Labor Premier Steven Miles said the land deals were not for townships but for 'discrete parcels … that have relevance to the applicants' and said all proper processes had been followed.

'I am proud of my government's commitment to working alongside First Nations people in recognising their deep spiritual connection to their land and supporting their preservation of culture, customs and traditions,' he said.

'Applications are treated confidentially and with cultural sensitivity but, to be clear, an application does not guarantee that land will be made transferable; nor does an application give the applicant the right to be granted the land under the act.

'There are processes under legislation that are followed by the Department of Resources, in consultation with interest holders and local councils, before any decisions are made. I am advised this has been the case since 1991.'

Mr Stewart also revealed 6.7million hectares of land, or 3.93 per cent of the state, had been transferred under the Aboriginal Land Act or Torres Strait Islander Land Act since 1991, and thisincluded 11 parcels of land transferred in 2023-24.

Department of Resources figures show almost 70 parcels of land have been declared transferable by the state government since 2001.