 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.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