What was the primary focus of the legislation following the Wik decision?

The primary focus of the legislation following the Wik decision was indeed to shift power from the federal government to state governments. The Wik decision, which emerged from a High Court ruling in 1996, recognized that native title rights could coexist with pastoral leases. This recognition prompted legislative changes aimed at clarifying land rights and management responsibilities.

In response, the government sought to redistribute authority over land use and rights to state governments, allowing them greater control over the implementation of native title laws. This shift aimed to streamline land management processes and create a more localized approach to native title negotiations, reflecting a broader trend towards decentralization in governance. This focus on empowering state authorities distinguished this period of legislation in the aftermath of the Wik decision, demonstrating the importance of state-level engagement in addressing native title issues.