"..Rights to land in Burma are bound up with issues of ethnic conflict, militarisation and lack of democratic institutions. A future democratic Burma will need to seek ways to resolve competing claims to land, taking into account such issues as traditional ownership by particular ethnic nationalities, return of displaced persons, varying religious ties to land, development imperatives and agricultural demands. The chosen method of resolution will need to address, as much as possible, the needs for certainty, efficiency and a fair hearing for those concerned. The democratic opposition and its international supporters are seeking to explore and collect ideas for the construction of effective and fair ways of dealing with the many complex legal and social issues in Burma. As part of this exploration of ideas for the future, Burma Lawyers' Council encourages articles explaining relevant issues in other countries. The following article is kindly provided by the principle legal officer of an indigenous land council in Australia. The Australian experience offers an interesting perspective on possible judicial, legislative and administrative responses to the issue of indigenous ownership of land..."