22.05.2025

Review of the Future Acts Regime: Discussion Paper (2025)

Filed under: Native Title

Submissions in response to the Discussion Paper are now open. 

The Discussion Paper continues the conversation started earlier in our Inquiry. The Discussion Paper outlines what we have heard so far and sets out some options for reforming the future acts regime. We are now asking you to let us know your thoughts about those options for reform. You can do this by making a submission or in another way that works for you.  

There are 18 Proposals and 23 Questions in the Discussion Paper. These cover a wide range of issues. You do not need to respond to every Proposal or Question if you do not wish to. You can tell us about what is most important to you. 

The first Question in the Discussion Paper is numbered 6 because the Issues Paper contained Questions 1–5. The first Proposal is numbered 1.  

You are also welcome to comment on any other matters mentioned in the Terms of Reference. 

Submissions will remain open until 10 July 2025. 

Download the Discussion Paper
Make a Submission

We have prepared a series of one page Information Sheets that give an overview of the key reform options in the Discussion Paper. We have also produced a standalone document that contains the Proposals and Questions in the Discussion Paper (PDF/Word). 

Download the Info Sheets

  1. Discussion Paper overview
  2. Native Title Management Plans
  3. Agreement-making
  4. Statutory procedures
  5. Right to negotiate
  6. Compensation and other payments
  7. Resourcing, costs, and implementation

We know that making a submission can be time-consuming and sometimes difficult. We also know that people have competing demands on their time and resources, including from the future acts regime itself.  

We are asking for submissions now to give us feedback on options for reform.  

Earlier this year we invited people to give us submissions in response to our Issues Paper. If you were not able to make a submission in response to our Issues Paper, but would like to make one now, you are welcome to respond to both the Issues Paper and the Discussion Paper in your submission.