The Mabo Centre, an Indigenous-led partnership between the University of Melbourne and the National Native Title Council (NNTC), is preparing to deliver on an ambitious research program in 2026. Established in March 2025, the Centre exists to advance Indigenous leadership and enable better economic outcomes for Indigenous communities through leveraging land and sea rights. With plans to develop a national database …
Insights from the 2025 World Indigenous Business Forum Attending the 2025 World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) has provided the Mabo Centre with opportunities to connect with global and domestic Indigenous businesses, leaders, and entrepreneurs – both on stage and off. Participating in a panel discussion on Global Indigenous Partnerships for Economic Development, Centre Co-Chair Jamie Lowe spoke about the need to turn conversations around economic empowerment and participation into real action, …
The Mabo Centre recently convened a day-long workshop on Clean Energy Agreement-Making for Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) members with clean energy interests. Workshop participants were guided by sector experts to build their skills and access resources to support effective clean energy agreement-making for their communities. Importantly, this workshop provided the opportunity for PBC members to connect over common goals, exchange knowledge, and strengthen understanding …
Legal experts say the High Court win by the Northern Territory’s Gumatj clan against the commonwealth might bolster cases of other Indigenous groups in the territories that haven’t been compensated for development on their land — but it’s not so clear-cut for mob in the states. The late Dr Yunupingu filed the case on behalf of the Gumatj people in 2019 to …
It was more than 30 years ago when a landmark legal case, brought about by Eddie Koiki Mabo and fellow Mer Islanders, recognised the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to their lands. A centre, opening in Perth on Tuesday, will continue the forefather of native title’s legacy, which began in 1982 when the group lodged their legal …
Billions in resource royalties could be unlocked from native title charitable trusts and used for Indigenous economic development projects across Australia’s north as part of ambitious reforms driven by the newly created Mabo Centre. Industry and traditional owner groups see the Mabo Centre as the right alliance to push for legal and policy changes to address “desperate economic and social …
Australia’s economic growth has been built on its willingness to adapt and embrace the new. We have expanded and diversified our minerals and technology sectors. We have seed-funded new industries, such as renewable energy and IT. And we have supported the development of tourism, higher education and other people-based sectors. However, what we haven’t done is change the way Indigenous …
Launched today in Boorloo (Perth) Western Australia, the Mabo Centre is a newly formed First Nations-led partnership between the National Native Title Council and The University of Melbourne. The Mabo Centre will support Traditional Owner groups and First Nations organisations to enable better economic outcomes through leveraging land and sea rights. It aims to maximise the economic, social, and cultural …