The Native Title Committee's Terms of Reference are set out in Part 12
of the Native Title Act 1993. Section 206 provides:
Section 206 Duties
The Parliamentary Joint Committee’s duties are:
(a) to consult extensively about the implementation
and operation of this Act and Part 4A of the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Commission Act 1989 with:
(i) groups of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait
Islanders; and
(ii) industry organisations; and
(iii) Commonwealth, State, Territory and local
governments; and
(iv) other appropriate persons and bodies; and
(b) to report from time to time to both Houses on the
implementation and operation of this Act; and
(c) to examine each annual report that is prepared by
the President of the NNTT or by any person under Part 4A of the Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989 and of which a copy
has been laid before a House, and to report to both Houses on matters:
(i) that appear in, or arise out of, that annual report;
and
(ii) to which, in the Parliamentary Joint Committee’s
opinion, the Parliament’s attention should be directed; and
(d) from time to time, to inquire into and, as soon
as practicable after the inquiry has been completed, to report to both
Houses on:
(i) the effectiveness of the NNTT; and
(ii) the extent to which there are recognised
State/Territory bodies; and
(iii) the appropriateness of powers of delegation
exercisable by the Registrar under this Act; and
(iv) the extent of extinguishment or impairment
of native title rights and interests as a result of the operation
of this Act; and
(v) the operation of the National Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund established by Part 10; and
(vi) the effect of the operation of this Act
on land management; and
(vii) the operation of the Indigenous Land Corporation
and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund established
by Part 4A of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
Act 1989; and
(e) to inquire into any question in connection with
its duties that is referred to it by a House, and to report to that
House on that question.
