From red-neck to green-black: Mineral exploration and native title in the Northern Territory

The article examines the legislative regime pertaining to mineral exploration in the Northern Territory put in place to take advantage of the fast-track or expedited procedure provisions of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth). This examination includes a review of the substantive basis to this regime, its recent historical development and the consideration of the regime by Members of the National Native Title Tribunal. The article concludes that in ensuring the mineral exploration regime is such as to satisfy the Native Title Act expedited procedure provisions, the regime has been forced to build in significant safeguards with regard to both native title rights and interests and the environment. � LAWBOOK CO.