Native Title and Aboriginal Land Transfers - Injustice? The Protagonists.

Native Title and Aboriginal Land Transfers - Injustice?

On 7 November 2025, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people lodged a Native Title claim over most of Melbourne — about 10,400 square kilometres from the Yarra Valley to the Werribee.
This claim like others, isn't about private homes or suburban backyards. It's about Crown land — parks, rivers, reserves — roughly 30% of the state.

Now in Queensland, there is a Native Title claim over much of the Redlands Coast. It was filed by the Quandamooka applicants with the Federal Court of Australia in March 2017 and has been in train for 8 years.
The Quandamooka Coast Claim covers around 530 square kilometres including a small part of Brisbane City and most of mainland Redlands, as well as areas of Lamb Island, Macleay Island, Karragarra Island, Coochie- mudlo Island, Cassim Island, Sandy Island, Garden Island, Green Island, King Island, St Helena Island and Mud Island.

These are just two of the claims. As of April 2025, a total 647 determinations of Native Title have been made in some or all of the areas claimed. There are 131 native title applications that have not been decided. So far Native Title has been determined over approximately 54% of Australia's land and waters.

What are Native Title rights? How do they differ to private property rights? What happens to the land that was previously managed for public benefit with investment made by taxpayers? Are these benefits appropriated by the new title holders? What becomes of resource and mineral rights that may have been developed for the benefit of all Australians?

We ask our panel to discuss some of the implications of land transfer under Native Title and State Government laws and why do we know so little about the transfer of public benefits to a very small minority of Australians, with no scrutiny or legal recourse.

Mike Ryan HOST

GUESTS:

Jordan Dittloff, Libertarian advocate for Capitalism & Civil Liberties: Free Speech, Free Humans, Free Money

Jordan Dittloff is a law graduate and works in civil litigation. Formerly Federal Secretary of the Libertarian Party, Jordan worked to help guide the party through the challenges of constitutional and structural reform, and the adoption of its new party name. Jordan maintains a keen interest in policy and in legislation before the parliament. He has posted recently about the Melbourne Native Title claim.

Shalini Bhasin, President Brisbane Eastside Branch Libertarians Qld

Shalini (Shelley) Bhasin is President of the Brisbane Eastside Branch of Libertarians QLD. She has a Government audit and risk advisory background and as a resident of Bayside Brisbane, been closely observing the native title claims in her area. She sees the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) claim as a good case study to understand the national level impact of Native Title law.

Peter Campion, Libertarian; proponent of traditional Australian values

Peter Campion is a retired Queensland Fire and Rescue Service fire commander and fire investigator. He is an independent researcher; a libertarian; and a fierce proponent of primary industries in North Queensland and traditional Australian values that have come under increasing attack since the 1990s. Peter was de-platformed from major newspapers in 2020 for his views about COVID-19, which prompted him to stand as a candidate in the Queensland Federal and State elections. Peter is the father of well-known journalist Vikki Campion and is a long-term resident of Far North Queensland.

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