Antinuclear

A New South Wales Government body is under scrutiny amid claims it failed to distribute trust money to local Indigenous projects in the Upper Hunter and instead gave it to a mining industry body.

In 2001, the former Labor government set up the Upper Hunter Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Trust to give back to the Aboriginal communities who have a cultural connection to the area.

Each time a mine was given development consent, the mining company in question paid $50,000 into the fund.

Upper Hunter Native Title claimant Scott Franks said he believed the money was to be used exclusively to safeguard Indigenous sites and fund local projects.

“My understanding was people from that area were able to make submissions to the trust to get funding for development of work skills, projects and a few other things,” he said.

However, $300,000 was awarded from the trust to the Mudgee-based Aboriginal Resource Group (ARG), which is endorsed by the chief lobby group for the mining industry, the Minerals Council……..

Funding also awarded to controversial bureaucracy

Greens MP David Shoebridge has been highly critical of the Council’s conduct.

“It’s insulting enough to have the destruction of their heritage and culture happening on a grand scale,” Mr Shoebridge said.

“But then a few crumbs that fall from the table are gathered away by bureaucrats and people outside the community, it’s disgraceful.”……..

Trust’s processes questioned

Now, the Upper Hunter Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Trust is also being questioned about how it makes decisions.

Run by a management team and an advisory group, the trust deed states the role of the advisory group is “to provide specialist advice on projects submitted to the management team”.

Mr Downs said that had not happened since 2008.safeguard indigenous sites and fund local projects.(ABC News)

“Every six to 12 or 18 months I’ll send an email to the planning department asking when the advisory committee is going to meet,” he said.

“If I’m lucky they will say ‘I’m not sure yet but we’ll get back to you’.”

Registered Native Title claimant Mr Franks applied for funds from the trust, but he was left concerned about where the money was going.

“My concern is the trust and the way its been managed,” he told the ABC.

“There are no checks and balances in place.”

The Greens has warned that it will take the matter further if the Government does not investigate. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-06/claims-funds-reserved-for-indigenous-groups-went-back-to-miners/6998752