The Wire

A native title claim over a massive area of WA could leave the state government with a multi-million dollar compensation bill. The claim covers almost 200 thousand square kilometres of land and sea, which includes Perth. The South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council is driving the case on behalf of the Noongar people. Previously, there were six separate native title applications over six different regions. But in 2003, after months of discussion, the Noongar people banded together and lodged the “Single Noongar claim” in the Federal Court. Ted Hart from the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council says if the case is successful, they will pursue the state for compensation for all crown land unallocated before 1975 that has since been sold by the government. He says the Noongar deserve compensation because of all that’s been taken from them.