THE MABO CENTRE LAUNCHES TO DRIVE FIRST NATIONS ECONOMIC GROWTH
Gail Mabo speaking at the Launch of the Mabo Cenrte
BY ASAD KHAN
The Mabo Centre officially launched on 4 March 2025 in Boorloo (Perth), marking a significant step toward strengthening First Nations leadership in land and sea rights. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the National Native Title Council (NNTC) and the University of Melbourne.
The initiative honours the legacy of Dr Eddie Koiki Mabo and is backed by Indigenous leaders, researchers, and industry partners.
Dr Eddie Koiki Mabo PC:The Mabo Centre 2025
The Centre will provide training, research, and leadership development to help Traditional Owner groups maximise the economic, social, and cultural benefits of native title agreements.
Background and Objectives Since the landmark 1992 Mabo decision, First Nations communities have continued to advocate for greater self-determination and economic independence.
The Mabo Centre responds to ongoing challenges in native title agreement-making by offering strategic support in four key areas: research, training, knowledge exchange, and economic acceleration.
Jamie Lowe, Co-Chair of the Mabo Centre and CEO of the NNTC PC:The Mabo Centre 2025
Jamie Lowe, Co-Chair of the Mabo Centre and CEO of the NNTC, highlighted the critical moment Australia is facing in recognising and leveraging native title rights.
“The Mabo decision was handed down 33 years ago, starting the recognition of native title in law. However, as Traditional Owners, we have known for over 65,000 years that we have rights to Country. It’s time that native title met the needs of Traditional Owners and can continue to do so for generations.”
The Role of the Mabo Centre The Mabo Centre will serve as a hub for First Nations-led economic development, offering Indigenous communities the resources and expertise needed to negotiate agreements that provide lasting benefits.
The Centre’s establishment follows extensive consultation through the NNTC, revealing systemic barriers in native title processes.
Professor Marcia Langton, Co-Chair of the Centre and Associate Provost at the University of Melbourne
Professor Marcia Langton, Co-Chair of the Centre and Associate Provost at the University of Melbourne, noted that collaboration between academia and Traditional Owners is essential.
“The Mabo Centre was conceived after a long period of consultation through the National Native Title Council and its members to understand the challenges and barriers to self-determination and economic prosperity through land and sea rights,”
Kado Muir, Chair of the National Native Title Council
Indigenous Leadership and Policy Impact Kado Muir, Chair of the National Native Title Council, emphasised the need for innovative financial solutions to support Traditional Owners in securing economic self-determination.
“Most Traditional Owner corporations have little ability to access finance and other critical support needed to manage Country and purchase equity stakes to co-own large-scale projects,”
“We must not allow native title holders who have spent decades fighting for their rights to be affected by sub-par policies that limit their self-determined vision for wellbeing and economic self-determination.”
He further stressed that the Mabo Centre will play a crucial role in redefining the socio-economic relationships between First Nations peoples and the broader Australian economy.
Corporate and Academic Partnerships Rio Tinto has joined as the founding corporate partner of the Centre. While their support is financial, they will have no governance role in the initiative.
The Centre’s governance board includes First Nations leaders and economic experts, ensuring Indigenous perspectives remain central to its mission.
Professor Eddie Cubillo
Professor Eddie Cubillo, the newly appointed Director of the Mabo Centre, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative.
“Justice is about much more than the law and rectification of wrongs. It is about the provision of knowledge and opportunities to make change,”
“The Mabo Centre will support First Nations governance and provide the policy base to enable agreement-making that provides justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
The Mabo Centre represents a new era in First Nations leadership, where Traditional Owners are empowered to leverage their land and sea rights for economic and social prosperity.
With its research-driven approach, Indigenous-led governance, and commitment to self-determination, the Centre aims to shape a more equitable future for First Nations communities across Australia.
Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Lead Journalist Asad Khan speak with Kado Muir, Chair of the National Native Title Council: