Price fixing allegation involving indigenous “blow-ins” and mining companies
ACCC investigates claims of Aboriginal and mining ‘cartels’ October 24, 2014 SMH, Nicole Hasham
State Politics reporter Mining companies and Aboriginal groups allegedly engaged in “cartel conduct”, including price fixing for work involving ancient indigenous heritage sites, according to claims investigated by the competition watchdog……..Critics say Aboriginal cultural knowledge has been “commodified” and important artefacts and sites are being destroyed to make way for mining developments……..
Mining companies can pay groups known as “registered Aboriginal parties” to conduct field surveys and manage or salvage artefacts affected by mining development.
The ACCC investigated claims involving Rio Tinto Coal, Ashton Coal and NuCoal Resources,………
Aboriginal cultural heritage expert Maria Cotter claimed that decision-making on important sites was “being driven by dollar reimbursement and not by informed Aboriginal people making decisions about their heritage”.
“Aboriginality has been commodified in the process so that [people] are being bought to be Aboriginal, whether they have clear connections and understanding of the heritage of a particular place or not,” Dr Cotter said.
Scott Franks, who works with Ms Cotter and is a registered native title claimant for about 10,000 square kilometres of the Hunter Valley, claimed indigenous “blow-ins” from outside the area were engaged by mining companies, regardless of their knowledge or qualifications. Another local indigenous source close to the assessment process supported the claim……..http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/accc-investigates-claims-of-aboriginal-and-mining-cartels-20141026-119gab.html
Federal Court grants native title rights on Fraser Island
Fraser Island: Native title rights granted to Indigenous people by Federal Court ABC News, By Kallee Buchanan, Ross Kay and Elaine Ford 25 Oct 2014 Queensland’s popular Fraser Island has been returned to its Indigenous people, with the Federal Court today granting native title rights. The ruling recognised the World Heritage-listed island’s Indigenous heritage of the Butchulla people……The Butchulla People have called Fraser Island home for at least 5,000 years, known to the local Indigenous people as K’Gari, which means paradise.……..
Mr Smith said today’s determination meant the State Government, national parks and the Butchulla tribe would be able to work together to help enhance the natural beauty of the island, which was largely covered by national parks……….http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-24/federal-court-rules-on-fraser-island-native-title/5839474
Move to protect the $2bn indigenous land fund
$2bn indigenous land fund next on agenda THE AUSTRALIAN OCTOBER 27, 2014 1 Patricia Karvelas FRESH from a win against merging two indigenous economic bodies, Dawn Casey will lobby politicians to support a $2 billion “land account’’ to be managed by the Future Fund.
The Indigenous Land Corporation chairwoman wants the land account to be made more secure.
Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion confirmed last week that he did not intend to make changes, after commissioning an independent report that provided ambiguous recommendations and failed to back the government’s preferred option of amalgamation of the corporation and Indigenous Business Australia.
The move was a win for Dr Casey, who has lobbied strongly against an amalgamation and enlisted the support of Aboriginal leaders to call for the protection of the $2bn indigenous land account presided over by the land corporation……….. “……“In addition, we seek government support to broaden the current narrow investment parameters of the land account and allow the Future Fund to manage it so as to maximise the benefits available to indigenous Australians, particularly those whose native title rights have been extinguished over the past two centuries.
“The minister’s decision is sensible, as an amalgamation would have undermined the integrity of the land account, and diminished its status as a compensatory fund.
“However, the ILC continues to be concerned that the land account, established in the wake of the Native Title Act in recognition of indigenous dispossession associated with colonisation and settlement, continues to be at risk.”…….http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/bn-indigenous-land-fund-next-on-agenda/story-fn9hm1pm-1227102873877
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 