Commonwealth Numbered Acts

ABORIGINAL LAND RIGHTS (NORTHERN TERRITORY) ACT 1976 No. 191 of 1976 - SECT 21

PART III-ABORIGINAL LAND COUNCILS
21. (1) The Minister shall, on the commencement of this section, by notice
published in the Gazette, divide the Northern Territory into at least 2 areas
and establish an Aboriginal Land Council for each area.

(2) A notice published under sub-section (1) shall, in respect of each
Aboriginal Land Council, set out-

   (a)  the name of the Council; and

   (b)  the boundaries of the area for which the Council is established.

(3) Where the Minister is satisfied that-

   (a)  a substantial majority of adult Aboriginals living in an area that-

        (i)    is wholly included in the area of a Land Council; or

        (ii)   is partly included in the area of one Land Council and partly
               included in the area of another Land Council or in the areas of
               other Land Councils,

is in favour of the setting up of a new Land Council for that first-mentioned
area only; and

   (b)  that first-mentioned area is an appropriate area for the operation of
        a new Land Council, the Minister may, by notice published in the
        Gazette, establish an Aboriginal Land Council for that first-mentioned
        area.

(4) A notice published under sub-section (3) shall-

   (a)  specify the name of the new Land Council; and

   (b)  set out the boundaries of the area for which the new Land Council is
        established.

(5) On the publication of a notice under sub-section (3), the area specified
in the notice ceases by force of this sub-section to be part of the area of
the Land Council, or of the areas of the Land Councils, in which it was
included immediately before that publication.

(6) On the establishment of a Land Council under this section, the Minister
shall take whatever steps he considers necessary and practicable to inform the
adult Aboriginals living in the area of the Land Council of the existence of
the Land Council.