Antinuclear

Western Australian Aboriginals to Canberra to stop compulsory acquistion of their land

compulsory acquisition ……, is about taking away Aboriginal people’s Native Title rights and interest in a piece of land for the purpose of a big mining company making loads, lots and lots of money.

Indigenous leaders take land grab complaint to Canberra Radio Australia, September 14, 2010 The Kimberley Land Council has taken its campaign against the James Price liquified natural gas project in Western Australia to Canberra.

Two weeks ago the Western Australian government began a compulsory acquisition process for land in the Kimberley region in the north-west of the state. It argues that negotiations for an indigenous land use agreement were taking too long because of disagreements between traditional owners.

But the land council is hoping that the new political climate in the federal parliament will encourage the Commonwealth to intervene on its behalf.Presenter: Naomi WoodleySpeaker: Wayne Bergmann, CEO of Kimberley Land Council

WAYNE BERGMANN: The primary reason we’re here because the West Australian Premier has started compulsory acquisition which is a major concern to traditional owners and it should be of major concern to people all over Australia because compulsory acquisition in context, in this context, is about taking away Aboriginal people’s Native Title rights and interest in a piece of land for the purpose of a big mining company making loads, lots and lots of money.

And although the Premier has said he’s committed to living up to the regional heads of agreement, there is no proponent, what’s the rush? There is, the environmental reports haven’t even been completed. They haven’t responded to the social impact reports. So it’s a major concern and we want the Commonwealth to stand up to the State and back us because we’re the little people and we need the Commonwealth to support us.

Radio Australia:Pacific Beat:Story:Indigenous leaders take land grab complaint to Canberra

September 14, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | aboriginal issues, Western Australia | aboriginal, Australia, gas, indigenous