Australian/PNG indigenous land tenure issues discussed at UQ conference

A University of Queensland conference next week will discuss Problems and Perspectives on Customary Land Tenure and Registration in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The University and its Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Archaeology will host the conference to be held September 11 to 13 at Emmanuel College, St Lucia.

Co-convenor Associate Professor Laurence Goldman said the conference would address pressing problems faced by resource developers, governments and other stakeholders concerning indigenous land rights and customary land group registration.

These included: What kind of land groups can be formed to receive the benefits of development? Do the present systems have the capacity to effect sustainable progress anticipated by indigenous landowners

What kinds of constraints are presented by existing legal frameworks? What should be the role of the consultant or anthropological expert in policy and programming implementation?

"These and other issues will be addressed with specific reference to the impending Papua New Guinea-Queensland Gas Project which is set to be the single largest infrastructure venture in the politico-economic histories of both Papua New Guinea and Queensland," Dr Goldman said.

The conference has 25 speakers with opening addresses by Peter Sheehan from the Premier's office and Joseph Gabut, Secretary for Department of Petroleum and Mining, Papua New Guinea.

The conference is sponsored by Esso Highlands Limited, Oil Search, PNG Gas Project Brisbane, Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Archaeology at UQ, and the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at UQ.

Conference opening time is Monday September 11 at 9am at the Riverside Room, Emmanuel College, Sir William MacGrgeor Drive, St Lucia.

Media: For further information, contact conference convenors Associate Professor Laurence Goldman - (07) 3365 3178; Mobile: 0412 745 293; or Dr.John Bradley - (07) 3365 2980.