Named: The 15 Queensland towns where Aboriginal corporations want freehold land – including some major population centres

The Queensland government has been accused of withholding a list of 15 towns where land could be transferred as title to Aboriginal corporations during negotiations.

Queensland Natural Resources Minister Scott Stewart unveiled the list, which included large settlements such as Mt Isa, Roma and Maryborough, as well as small towns such as Duchess with a population of just 53.

According to documents tabled in parliament, the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 (ALA) allowed Aboriginal corporations to establish “inalienable property rights” in regional towns across Queensland with a total population of 45,810.

The list also includes major tourist destinations on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) and Rainbow Beach.

Allegations of a “secret land grab” have been circulating since residents of the Queensland border town of Toobeah, which is on the list, said they had been kept in the dark about about 95 percent of the town and $2 million worth of land that had been given away until a community forum.

In response, former One Nation MP Steve Andrew asked Mr Stewart in May about the consultation process and the impact the land transfer would have on residents’ ‘property rights’, as well as about the list tabled on Friday.

In a response filed in June, the department indicated that the ALA did not require “broad community consultation,” but that a town forum had been held in Toobeah in March.

Mr Andrew said the land transfers took place “without consultation” and alleged there were negotiations between the state government and the companies, sometimes involving local governments.

“The results of the (Voice) referendum showed that people have simply had enough of the divisions – they have had enough of all this ‘them’ and ‘us’ stuff,” he said The courier post in June.

‘I don’t understand why the government is suddenly pushing it. How come they’re not being open and honest?’

Speaking on Friday, Andrew accused the government of not being “open and transparent”.

“If there is nothing to fear, why all the secrecy?” he said.

‘Why aren’t they more transparent and provide open insight into what’s happening?

‘If they had been honest and open in the beginning, we would never have been scared.

Residents of the Queensland border town of Toobeah are furious over what they call a ‘secret land grab’

“There’s no point in saying afterwards, ‘There’s nothing to fear.'”

Queensland Libertarian Senate candidate Jim Willmott was also fierce.

“This could limit access to our favourite fishing spots, our favourite parks and recreation areas, our favourite reserves or beach areas that we have had access to for generations,” Mr Willmott claimed in an X post.

‘Minister Stuart believes that there is no need for open and transparent consultation in these areas.

“What the hell is going on here? We have a government that doesn’t think they need to consult with the people who are going to influence these transfers.”

Mr Stewart defended the agreements, saying the land “can never be sold” and would be held in trust for the First Nations.

“The granting of land to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples recognises the spiritual, social, historical, cultural and economic importance of land to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” he said.

Queensland Labor Premier Steven Miles said the land deals were not for councils but for “discrete parcels of land … relevant to the applicants”. He said all correct procedures had been followed.

“I am proud of my government’s commitment to working with First Nations peoples, recognizing their deep spiritual connection to their lands, and supporting their preservation of culture, customs and traditions,” he said.

‘Applications will be treated confidentially and with cultural sensitivity, but to be clear, an application does not guarantee that the land will be made transferable, nor does an application give the applicant the right to receive the land under the law.

‘There are processes under legislation that are followed by the Department of Resources, in consultation with stakeholders and local councils, before decisions are made. I understand that this has been the case since 1991.’

Mr Stewart also revealed that since 1991, 6.7 million hectares of land, or 3.93 per cent of the state, has been transferred under the Aboriginal Land Act or Torres Strait Islander Land Act. This includes 11 parcels of land transferred in 2023-24.

Figures from the Department of Resources show that nearly 70 parcels of land have been declared transferable by the state government since 2001.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles said the land deals were not for townships but for “discrete parcels”