Antinuclear

Aboriginal-green link to fight gas projects BY:AMOS AIKMAN , THE AUSTRALIAN,  July 19, 2013 ENVIRONMENTAL groups are seeking to capitalise on the beauty of Arnhem Land and the plight of its indigenous people to build support for campaigns against resource development and a northern food bowl.Five indigenous people from the remote community of Maningrida will hold a protest in Sydney’s Martin Place today, objecting to petroleum-licence exploration applications covering about 1500km of coastline.

Their $8000 travel bill was paid by The Wilderness Society, the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Environment Centre NT, which are co-sponsoring the event.

Anti-coal-seam and shale gas group Lock the Gate Alliance and a coalition of anti-nuclear protesters are also involved.

A traditional owner from the nearby Blythe River area, Eddie Mason, said he was worried about the safety of his country and about songlines and sacred sites beneath the sea. Indigenous landowners cannot veto exploration or mining in open water. “That’s our main food source, our supermarket,” Mr Mason said.

He accused Palter Petroleum, which has applied for the Arnhem Land exploration licences, of failing to consult properly with indigenous people, who he said should have veto rights over territorial waters.

Gavan McFadzean, The Wilderness Society’s northern Australia campaign manager, said his organisation was keen to use iconic sites in the Kimberley, Arnhem Land and Cape York Peninsula to develop a national campaign around the dangers of resource extraction and northern food bowl development.

He said the prospect of a future Abbott-led Coalition government was a particular threat.

Lock The Gate Alliance spokesman Drew Hutton said his organisation was also increasing its work in the Top End.

Mr Hutton predicted that Aboriginal land would be the next battlefront after farmland in the war to control unconventional gas developments.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/aboriginal-green-link-to-fight-gas-projects/story-fn9hm1pm-1226681650900