Aboriginal Law Bulletin --- "News: Koongara; Justice Nader's 'Blue'" [1985] AboriginalLawB 36; (1985) 1(14) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 5

• News
• Koongara
• Justice Nader’s ‘Blue’

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News

Koongara

Negotiations have recently been revived between Denison Mines (uranium mining) and the Northern Land Council in an atlemptto satisfy the inslmctionsofthetraditional owners of Koongam. Traditional owners have instructed the NLC to undertake reaching an agreement with Denison as soon as possible so that a change in government policy or of government may allow mining to commence.

It has been reported that the Aboriginal people have been offered 25 percent equity in the project and a substantial 'up-front' payment. However, the proposed agreement was not ratified at a full Northern Land Council meeting held in May.

Reports also suggest that the Federal Government may be looking at ways of incorporating the Koongarra Project Area back into Kakadu National Park.

(noted in the Environmental Centre NT Newsletter, May 1985, p. 6)

Justice Nader’s ‘Blue’

Mr Justice Nader, a Supreme Court Judge of the Northern Territory, had to publicly apologise to the Catholic Church after being reported as having likened Aboriginal missions to 'booze establishments'.

Mr Justice Nader said he was concerned 'casual comments' he had made could perpetrate a possible injustice to Catholic Missions. His remarks caused a minor furore in the NT, when he commented on Santa Teresa Mission.