Liberal MP in Northern Territory plans to betray Aboriginal Jeffrey Lee

Member for Katherine Willem Westra van Holthe wrote: “People like Mr Lee won’t be around forever so I believe it will be easier to ‘unreserve’ a piece of land than mine it inside a park boundary or excise it … at a later time.”….

CLP digs up new uranium policy | Northern Territory News | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia | ntnews.com.au, BEN LANGFORD, September 16th, 2010 PLOTTING is afoot within the Territory Opposition to change its policy on uranium mining at Koongarra, a leaked email shows.

Traditional owner Jeffrey Lee has offered his land for inclusion in Kakadu National Park and the offer was accepted by the Federal Government.

This blocked plans by French nuclear giant Areva to mine the 14,000 tonnes of uranium at the Koongarra site, 3km south of Kakadu’s iconic Nourlangie Rock.

Mr Lee, the sole member of the Djok clan, is not interested in the money from mining royalties and wants the land protected.

But an email between Opposition MLAs suggests making the land a reserve so it could be mined, against Mr Lee’s wishes, after his death.

Member for Katherine Willem Westra van Holthe wrote: “People like Mr Lee won’t be around forever so I believe it will be easier to ‘unreserve’ a piece of land than mine it inside a park boundary or excise it … at a later time.”….

Opposition Leader Terry Mills yesterday said the CLP’s position on Koongarra was clearly against the mine.

“The TO has said no, the Commonwealth has said no, and we say no,” he said.

But the emails show his deputy Kezia Purick calling for a different policy.

“The Country Liberals have supported all mining including uranium mining … this support extended to the support of the Jabiluka and Koongarra projects,” she wrote. “I would like to see the Country Liberals develop a clear policy position on uranium mining including (Jabiluka and Koongarra) and not be hung out to dry by popular seeking politics of the Coalition.”

Mr Westra van Holthe was concerned about the electoral

CLP digs up new uranium policy | Northern Territory News | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia | ntnews.com.au