The repeal The schemes have already been defunded in line with a Labor commitment at the 2022 election, but the legislation underpinning them could soon be repealed as part of an omnibus bill addressing a range of "miscellaneous measures" in the Attorney-General's portfolio. X Taking a question on notice from Senator Lidia Thorpe in a budget estimates hearing last December, the Attorney-General's Department said "most issues of law had been settled over the years" and respondents would now deal with the matters as a business cost. A spokesperson for the Attorney-General reiterated similar lines this week. "Many current native title respondents are commercially viable business and responding to native title matters forms part of their ordinary business activities," they said. "In addition, many issues of native title law have been settled in the 30 years since the Native Title Act 1993 was passed, and its effect on existing rights and interests is more certain." X The response to the honourable senator's question is as follows: The Government is implementing its election commitment to abolish the Scheme. Applications for funding under the Native Title Respondent Funding Scheme received by the department for the 1 May to 31 October 2022 grant period were processed. Those that were assessed as eligible under the relevant guidelines were funded for that period. The Attorney-General's Department is contacting current grantees in relation to extending the grant period where funding remains. No further funding is available under the Scheme for applications beyond the 1 May to 31 October 2022 period. The department notes that as most issues of law have been settled over the years, many current native title respondents, who are commercially viable or sound entities, would have the capacity to deal with native title matters as part of their ordinary business costs.