Aboriginal Land Rights

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:52): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation a question.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: On 16 June 2010 former premier Mike Rann met with the Ngarrindjeri elders to discuss Aboriginal claims under the letters patent of 1836. That is more than four years ago. I ask the minister: what progress has been made in the discussions between the government and the Aboriginal community on the letters patent that was agreed at that meeting? Secondly, what steps is the government taking, or planning to take, to identify any continuing legal rights under the letters patent?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions. I can confirm that I have been in a series of meetings with the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority. I meet with them quite regularly. Letters patent are often part of the agenda for our discussion, and that is about all I can say about that right now.