Aborginal water rights are now on the table

An old Ngarrindjeri gentleman who has passed along now said, our management plan of water was simply don’t be greedy, take what you need and let the water flow to the nation down below you." NBAN Chair Fred Hooper(Murrawarri)

National Cultural Flows Research Committee launch reports in Canberra. Source: National Cultural Flows Research Committee

After five years of research and years of advocacy, Aboriginal Water rights will now be on the table for Traditional Owners to manage water allocation for cultural, economic development and security in Australia's water management regime.

The National Cultural Flows Research project has been steered by Murray Lower Darling River's Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) and Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations (NBAN) and welcomed by the Murray Darling Basin Authority.

"For us we’re forced into a situation where we have to label the water and label it as a cultural flow"

The reports handed down have been supported by the Federal Minister for Water David Littleproud, who has allocated $40 million to secure Aboriginal cultural and economic outcomes.

MLDRIN Chair Narri Nari man Rene Woods says the research is five years in the making and a game changer that directly addresses a key area of unfinished business in national water reform."

NBAN Chair Fred Hooper with Federal Minister for Agriculture and Water David Littleproud and MLDRIN Chair Rene Woods. Old Parliament House 29/06/18. Source: National Cultural Flows Research Committee

Murrawarri man and Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations Chair Fred Hooper joined NITV Radio to talk about the findings of the research.  

He says "We never had a label on water, the water came down the system and as an old Ngarrindjerri gentleman who has passed along now said, our management plan of water was simply don’t be greedy, take what you need and let the water flow to the nation down below you." 

Fred Hooper says the value of the water goes beyond economy, he says "It’s the value we put on the plants and the animals and the landscape that relies on the water to flow across it. 

"To regenerate mother earth to regenerate the landscape that we live in is for us to be part of the landscape. Not separated out from the landscape like capitalism and western democracy does. It separates you away from your culture, it separates you from your spiritual connection to the land and to the waters."

"For us we’re forced into a situation where we have to label the water and label it as a cultural flow."