Qld: Last of Torres Strait islands granted native title

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2004
Qld: Last of Torres Strait islands granted native title

The last of the Torres Strait islands has been granted native title status.

Almost 93 per cent of Torres Strait land has now been returned to its traditional owners
at Federal Court sittings in five island communities over the past week.

The last of the islands, Badu, has been granted native title status by Justice RICHARD COOPER.

Torres Strait Regional Authority chairman, TOSHIE KRIS, says the entire Torres Stait
community is revelling in the historic rulings.

He says the recognition of native title has come after four years of difficult negotiations
with Queensland authorities.

AAP RTV rm/sc/wjf/lm

KEYWORD: NATIVE (BRISBANE)

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