Indigenous Water Policy Group

Indigenous experts from across northern Australia will convened at Parliament House in Darwin to deliver a policy statement on water.  The policy statement has been developed by the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) through the Indigenous Water Policy Group (IWPG). This group was initiated in 2006 to enhance Indigenous Water policy outcomes across state and territory jurisdictions. "The IWPG is the only construct in the north developing polices in the interests of its members.

The policy statement is a clear declaration of the terms for which Indigenous people want to be engaged", says Joe Morrison, NAILSMA Chief Executive Officer. "We expect Australian Governments to be responsive to the rights of Indigenous people, particularly for the terms of commercial use and development of water", he said. Up to 80 people will be attending the policy launch that will be pitched at commonwealth, state and territory Ministers. A special ceremony will take place to signify the unity of Indigenous people in standing together for water rights.

The policy position builds on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as well as other statements relating to water reform, the Garma International Indigenous Water Declaration and the Mary River Statement. "The IWPG support for the recognition of Indigenous Rights to ownership, management and use of waters for commercial purposes is a pragmatic approach toward current commonwealth and state policies and reform agendas, including closing the gap", explains Mr Morrison. "The policy statement offers tangible opportunities for positive economic outcomes for Australia's most disadvantage people", he said. NAILSMA is an alliance of Kimberley Land Council, Northern Land Council, Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Cooperation and Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation.