A Future Act is any proposed activity or act which has the potential to affect native title.  The most common example is the intension to grant mining tenements or to grant permits or permissions to carry out certain activities.  The Native Title Act 1993 defines when notification of the intent to grant tenements, permits or permissions etc must be given and how that notification must be given.  These notifications are referred to as Future Act Notices (FAN).  The registered native title claimants have the right to comment on the proposal within the timeframe stated in the notice (unusually 28 days).  In mining matters registered native title claimants have the right to negotiate and different timeframes may apply.

The NQLC’s Future Acts, Mining and Exploration Unit (FAME) deals with all Future Acts related to mining and exploration.  It also distributes copies of Future Act Notices we receive to the relevant native title holding group.  The FAME unit assists claim groups to respond to Future Act Notices and to make submissions to the proponents of Future Acts.  Where a Future Act concerns mining or related matters, the FAME unit assists with the development and negotiation of ILUA’s and other agreements between the native title holders and the mining proponent.

For further information please contact the head office of the North Queensland Land Council. Additional general information about on Future Acts can be seen on National Native Title Tribunal.