Aboriginal land acquisition laws pass Parliament

The Queensland Parliament has passed laws overnight allowing the Government to compulsorily acquire Aboriginal land.

The laws are intended to help Indigenous people buy a home and encourage economic development.

The Opposition had echoed concerns raised by Cape York Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson that the laws will allow the State Government to acquire land and sell it to mining companies.

But today the Natural Resources Minister Craig Wallace amended the bill to allay those fears.

Mr Wallace says land will only be acquired for public use.

Also [last] night, Parliament passed legislation banning drinking in public in Aboriginal communities, tightening alcohol restrictions and prohibiting local governments from holding liquor licences.

The Government says the changes will help reduce alcohol-related harm in the remote communities.

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