The federal government has been accused of failing to properly consult indigenous communities about proposed changes to native title laws.
A bill aiming to reverse the effect of a recent Federal Court ruling was expedited through parliament's lower house on Thursday - a day after being introduced.
Labor and the Greens slammed the uncommonly quick turnaround and the little time given to examine in detail something that could have "significant" implications.
The legislation aims to reinstate a 2010 decision effectively overruled by the full bench of the Federal Court a fortnight ago.
That February 2 ruling means a single member of a claim group can stop an indigenous land use agreement from being registered.
The proposal would re-establish the status quo so agreements are authorised based on the group's broader will.
It's believed the court's decision has invalidated up to 150 existing agreements, including some around agricultural and mining ventures.
While not objecting to the point of the bill, Labor's Linda Burney - parliament's first female Indigenous MP - labelled the government's handling of the proposed changes "completely disrespectful" to her community and the spirit of native title.
It was at odds with the prime minister's sentiment in his Closing the Gap speech earlier this week to do things with, not to, Indigenous peoples.
"There was absolutely no need for the rush," Ms Burney said.
But the peak body representing the native title sector urged parliament to support the speedy passage of the bill.
The National Native Title Council's CEO Glen Kelly said it was important to move promptly given the large number of agreements rendered invalid.
The legislation would secure those agreements and implement changes the sector has been seeking for years, he said in a statement.
A Senate committee will have one month to scrutinise the bill before it goes to a final vote.
That will allow people to contribute to the impact of the decision, said Ken Wyatt - Australia's first indigenous federal minister.
"But also for them to present their point of view on the importance of these amendments," he told MPs.
The bill - if dealt with in a timely manner - will give certainty to those involved in native title and does not alter the intent of the Act, he said.
The Greens failed to extend to May the parliamentary inquiry after accusing the government of abusing the democratic process.
Party leader Richard Di Natale claimed the timetable was being rushed to facilitate the development of the controversial Adani coalmine in Queensland.
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