This is a press release by Mick Dodson, former Australian of the year, this comes courtesy of the Tasmanian Times Website.
It beggars belief that this is even legal in Australia. Aboriginal land in one of our most fragile ecosystems has just been earmarked for compulsory acquisition by the Western Australian Government.
The reason? Energy giants including BP, Woodside, Chevron and Shell want to build a gas pipeline, and they don’t want to wait for Indigenous consultation. Some traditional owners are in favour of the pipeline, others disagree. But one thing is clear: compulsory acquisition means no genuine consultation, and far less compensation if the project goes ahead.
We need to respond quickly and make sure Premier Barnett’s announcement is met with national outrage. Locals are delivering a petition to the Premier’s office next week. Can you back them up by adding your name today, and asking your friends to do the same? Go to link http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/nocompulsoryacquisition
The nation is talking about hung parliament negotiations in the marble halls of Parliament House. But far away, in the red dirt of James Price Point, 400km from Broome on the Dampier Peninsula, there is another power struggle going on; pitting the profits of BP, Shell, Woodside and Chevron against the rights of Indigenous Australians. You can help shift the balance.
There are numerous registered Aboriginal heritage sites in the vicinity of James Price Point (Walmadan). Locals tell of Indigenous burial sites and ancient rock art; in some areas you can actually see the footprints of prehistoric birds, long extinct. But the Western Australian Premier wants to bypass Aboriginal elders in what’s been called “colonialism all over again” by Wayne Bergmann, Kimberly Land Council CEO. And what’s more, the project hasn’t even received environmental approvals required by State or Federal law.
This is about more than one site, or one gas pipeline. Compulsory acquisition in WA would put the profits of multinationals above the rights of traditional owners—and threatens decades of progress on land rights. Can you stand with traditional owners behind a campaign to stop compulsory acquisition? Colin Barnett’s decision could set back the Indigenous Rights movement by 30 years or more. Together we have the opportunity to ensure this doesn’t happen.
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Although I live on the NSW south coast, I feel deeply for the owners of this precious and very special land. I will follow the link to add my name to the petition and also add the link to my Facebook page. Thank you!
*Thank You* for continuing to post challenging subjects like this one, which so many Australians don’t want to hear.
No thanks necessary.
How ever you look at this, it is just wrong. Large multinational corporations, government bodies and whoever else you care to name, can’t just continue to disregard traditional land owners and take what they want any more. There are also complicated environmental concerns and I certainly do not trust huge corporations have our best interests at heart.
We are not at the height of the British Empire anymore. The country is not for plundering.
This is just wrong.
Absolutely disgusting isn’t it! The joys of having a Liberal state gov’t! Apparently the lovely Colin is against the push to mine in the Margaret River area though. No doubt because his rich cronies live there rather than any ethical or ecological reason!
Of course neither project should go ahead. The existing infrastructure up at the Top End should be improved/adapted or whatever rather than despoil yet more of the land. And as for the Margaret River idea, the money would be better spent on renewables instead of yet more coal for foreigners!
I’m not in favour of compulsory accquisition, so I’ll add my name, but I’m in favour of pipelines because bringing gas etc to outback areas means more of our country can be used and settled. I also believe this can be done while still retaining aboriginal land rights, at least for their sacred lands. If this land is bought with proper agreement and compensation for the owners, then that paves the way for water catchments, dams and pipelines too, something that Australia so badly needs. The annual northern flood waters could be used all over the country.
Then GOFA and I have signed. What makes anyone think that any governement and/or corporation should be able to negate the rights of any person, regardless of race, colour or creed?
The GOFA’s finally got his first post and About page up. It’s still in it’s infancy, but I’m goign to suggest he links to this post on your site. X