One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has called for the State Government to step in with funding to help local councils respond to Native Title claims, such as the one over the majority of Great Keppel Island.

“Native Title claims are getting out of control,” she said.

“There are currently 38 of these claims active in Queensland and while the claimants have their legal costs fully funded by the Federal Government, Queensland councils had their support taken away.”

Senator Hanson said the State Government should step in to “restore the balance”.

“Queensland councils were acknowledged as among the best in responding to Native Title claims until Labor changed the Native Title Respondent Funding Scheme in 2013 and effectively put the cost burden on local ratepayers,” she said.

“The Albanese Government has since abolished the scheme altogether.

“It's a burden that few, if any, regional Queensland councils can bear.”

A Native Title application was made by the Woppaburra People to the Federal Court of Australia on 13 May 2024, with the application area comprising 9.1029 square kilometres (nine lots and one part lot) on Great Keppel Island (Woppa).

The area includes the former Tower Holdings tourism leases, including the old resort site, staff quarters, the bitumen runway and the former grazing lease, which makes up the majority of the island.

Senator Hanson said the claim on Great Keppel Island threatened to “lock away most of the island” and prevent opportunities arising from the Olympics.

“It's simply not fair,” she said. “This appalling Albanese Labor Government will never restore the funding, so this is an opportunity for David Crisafulli.”

Senator Hanson also called on the State Government to consider amending the state's Aboriginal Land Act 1991 to give affected communities, like the small town of Toobeah in the Goondiwindi Region, the power to reject proposed land transfers.

“Communities impacted by these land grabs should get a real say in whether they go ahead,” she said.

“Queensland is supposed to be a democracy, after all, but what happens now is that communities are simply told it's going to happen after years of behind-the-doors negotiations in which affected communities are almost never involved.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development said Queensland is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Native Title Act and to resolving Native Title claims by agreement wherever possible.

“There are multiple steps the department undertakes as part of the process to grant land under Queensland's land rights legislation,” they said.

“Where land is under consideration to become transferable land, we consult interest holders and local councils, who may also be the trustee of the land.

“Local councils are best placed to advise of their future township needs, any critical infrastructure that may be required and aspirations of their broader community.”

The spokesperson said Queensland's land rights legislation specifically requires consultation with Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people connected to the land.

“The funding of costs for parties like councils who respond to Native Title claims is a matter for the Australian Government,” they said.