Compulsory acquistion of Aboriginal land; gas now, uranium later?

“What I say to the Premier is be very careful about setting precedents like this, they can do more damage that you can ever imagine. I think compulsorily acquisition is, in a sense, another act of colonialism, it’s another theft of our land, it’s another invasion. It should never ever be contemplated at a political level….

Compulsory acquisition ‘theft’ of land, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 2 Sept 10 Indigenous academic Mick Dodson has delivered a warning to the WA Premier, describing compulsory acquisition of land for the Kimberley gas hub as theft and an invasion.

The Premier Colin Barnett is expected to start proceedings to acquire the land at James Price Point through the courts this week……..

Professor Dodson, who’s a Yawuru man from Broome, says it is an appalling path to take.

“What I say to the Premier is be very careful about setting precedents like this, they can do more damage that you can ever imagine. I think compulsorily acquisition is, in a sense, another act of colonialism, it’s another theft of our land, it’s another invasion. It should never ever be contemplated at a political level….

An opposition MP Mark McGowan says compulsory acquisition will only make the situtation worse.

Compulsory acquisition ‘theft’ of land – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)