an independent arbitrator. Significance The Act, which introduced new concepts of land holding and land control for the benefit of Indigenous Australians, was an important milestone in the struggle for land rights not only for Anangu but for Indigenous communities worldwide. During discussion of the Bill, then State Premier, Hon David Tonkin, described it as “very much one of the most significant pieces of legislation which has come before this Parliament in its entire history.” In 1984, the High Court of Australia described the Act as: ‘a special measure for the purpose of adjusting the law of the State to grant legal recognition and protection of the claims of the Anunga [sic] Pitjantjatjara to the traditional homelands on which they live and as the legal means by which present and future generations may take up and rebuild their relationship with their country in accordance with tradition, free of disturbance from others’. In 2001, the ongoing significance of the Act was recognised in a major Centenary of Federation project charting the development of Australian democracy through key documents. Geographical scope The land grant of all Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunyjatjara land is dated 30 October 1981 and covers an area of about , or about 10.4% of the State. The westerly section that comprises over half the APY Lands was formerly the North West Aboriginal Reserve, first proclaimed in 1921. Other former pastoral lease land, formerly known as Everard Park, Kenmore Park and Granite Downs, are included in the lands. The mining township of Mintabie was leased back to the state government, for an initial period of 21 years, as part of the agreement which became the Bill passed in parliament. The lease was later extended to 30 June 2027; however, after a 2017 report finding that the settlement had become a centre for illegal distribution of drugs and alcohol into the APY Lands, the lease was terminated, with a final eviction date of 31 December 2019. Amendments There were amendments to the Act in 1987, 2004, 2005 and several in 2006; minor amendments in 2009, 2013 and 2014. The more significant amendments include: The Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Land Rights (Mintabie) Amendment Act 2009 (commenced 1 July 2012) introduced a licensing regime whereby outsiders could reside and operate businesses in Mintabie, granted by the Minister administering the Opal Mining Act 1995. The Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands Rights (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2016 delivered key