The Federal Court of Australia on Monday officially recognized the Kabi Kabi people as the native title holders of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, as part of a lawsuit that has been pending since 2013. This decision acknowledges the Kabi-Kabi people’s longstanding connection to over 365,000 hectares of land and waters around the Sunshine Coast, following a hearing in Brisbane.
With this decision, the Kabi-Kabi people gain legal recognition of their non-exclusive rights, which will coexist with the rights of other land users. The region, rich with rivers, waterfalls, and mountains, has seen Kabi Kabi habitation dating back thousands of years. The official recognition comes following decades of conflicts and forced relocations, marking a significant acknowledgement of the Kabi Kabi’s historical and cultural heritage.
Since white settlement began in the Sunshine Coast region in the 1840s, the Kabi Kabi people faced violent conflicts and subsequent relocations, notably to Cherbourg. Despite these adversities, the Kabi Kabi preserved their culture and traditions. Initial native title claims were made in 2006 and 2010, with the application formally filed in 2013. Currently, two additional segments of their claim remain under consideration.
According to the Queensland Government, native title refers to the recognition of rights and interests that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have over land and waters under Australian law. Governed by the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), these rights enable Indigenous peoples to negotiate land use and management but do not confer ownership of mineral resources.
Directors of the Kabi Kabi community noted that this recognition will empower the Kabi Kabi to assert their rights to Indigenous land at governmental and public levels. This legal recognition marks a pivotal moment in the long-standing journey of the Kabi Kabi towards stability and acknowledgment.
For further details, you can refer to JURIST’s coverage.