Editing Native title in Australia (section)

====1981 – ''Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Land Rights Act''====
{{main|Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Land Rights Act 1981}}
The [[South Australia]]n ''Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Land Rights Act 1981''<ref name="APY Act">{{cite Legislation AU|SA|act|apylra1981489|Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Land Rights Act 1981}}.</ref> was introduced by Premier [[Don Dunstan]] in November 1978, several months prior to his resignation from Parliament. An amended bill, following extensive consultation, was passed by the [[David Tonkin|Tonkin Liberal government]] in March 1981. This legislation gave significant rights well in advance of any other to date in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711065123/http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?sdID=46 |title=Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act 1981 (SA)|archive-date=11 July 2007|url=http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?sdID=46|website=Documenting a Democracy|access-date=21 June 2019}}</ref> In 1981, SA Premier Tonkin returned {{convert|102650|km2|mi2}} of land (10.2% of the state's land area) to the [[Pitjantjara]] and [[Yankunytjatjara]] people. However, it did not give the people the power of veto over mining activities; any disputes would need to be resolved by an independent arbitrator.<ref name=Brock/>

In 1984 Premier [[John Bannon]]'s Labor government passed legislation to return lands to the [[Maralinga Tjarutja]] people. The legislation was proclaimed in January 1985 and was followed by a ceremony in the desert attended by Maralinga Tjarutja leader [[Archie Barton]], John Bannon and Aboriginal Affairs Minister [[Greg Crafter]].<ref>Sydney Morning Herald, 3 Dec 2008, "Hero of the Maralinga People"</ref> This granted rights over {{convert|75000|km2|mi2}} of land in the [[Great Victoria Desert]], including the land contaminated by the [[British nuclear tests at Maralinga|British nuclear weapons testing at Maralinga]].<ref name=Brock/>