Newsletter date: 22 March 2013
See:
WGAR News: Protect Arnhem Land Campaign: Respect and Listen [Northern Territory - NT, Australia] (25 Jul 13)
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/07/24/wgar-news-protect-arnhem-land-campaig...
WGAR News: Background to the Protect Arnhem Land Campaign, Northern Territory (NT), Australia (28 Jul 13)
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/07/28/wgar-news-background-to-the-protect-a...
Contents:
* The Stringer: Arnhem Land Traditional Owners call for an end to fracking
* NITV News: NT tribes oppose shale gas and oil exploration
* ABC: Traditional owners burn Arnhem Land fracking plan
* ABC Radio National Breakfast: Concern over fracking in Arnhem Land
* NIRS: Arnhem Traditional Owners oppose fracking on Country
* "Another year stronger: Campaigners vow to continue opposition to Muckaty proposal"
* Background to the proposed Muckaty nuclear waste dump
* Solidarity: WA election sends message to Gillard-and The Greens
* Hands off Country: The game continues but our resolve remains strong
* causes.com : No Dredging at James Price Point/Protect Whale nursery and Migration Routes
* Greens Senator Rachel Siewert: JPP whale study shows WA EPA greatly underestimated development impact
* ABC: Botanist questions thickets clearing
* ABC: Broome 'tired' of gas project uncertainty
* NIRS: WA Government tries to block land claims
* The Wilderness Society Video: Isabel Lucas joins fight for the Kimberley
* Background to the Save The Kimberley Campaign - James Price Point, north of Broome, WA
* NITV News: Cape York elders push for World Heritage protection against mining
* Greens Senator Larissa Waters: Traditional owners witness old parties opposing rock art protection
* The Wilderness Society: World Heritage push: taking the Cape to Canberra
* Alex Bainbridge, Green Left Video: Wilfred Hicks: Why we stand up for the Burrup
* Other articles
* THE STRINGER: ARNHEM LAND TRADITIONAL OWNERS CALL FOR AN END TO FRACKING
- News
The Stringer: Arnhem Land Traditional Owners call for an end to fracking
http://thestringer.com.au/arnhem-land-traditional-owners-call-for-an-end...
21 Mar 13: "Arnhem Elders and landowners are calling on the Northern Territory and Federal Governments to halt fracking in the Arnhem – on land and seas. While Traditional Owners can to some extent veto fracking on their lands, they cannot do anything to stop fracking in the sea. Milingimbi Traditional Owner Ben Marrjarra Pascoe the nearby seas are their fishing grounds and the fracking will endanger them. Paltar Petroleum is planning to frack in the Arnhem Sea. ... Traditional Owners gathered for a meeting in Maningrida to coordinate a strategy to raise their concerns to Governments."
* NITV NEWS: NT TRIBES OPPOSE SHALE GAS AND OIL EXPLORATION
- Video
SBS World News: NT tribes oppose shale gas and oil exploration
Source: NITV News
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1748242/NT-tribes-oppose-shale-gas-an...
19 Mar 13: "Tribes opposed to the possible exploration for Shale Gas and Oil on their land, have burnt the letter they were sent by the petroleum company hoping to gain access to the land around Maningrida in the Northern Territory. Eddie Mason the spokesman for the Tribal council that represents the 12 Tribes opposed to the exploration explained the situation to reporter Craig Quatermaine. ... Eddie Mason: A letter came, and we ended up burning the letter because we asked the Ministers to come out and talk to us face to face. Me and the 12 tribe."
- Related Video
NITV News - 20 March part 1
http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/22674499605/NITV-News-20-March-part-1
* ABC: TRADITIONAL OWNERS BURN ARNHEM LAND FRACKING PLAN
- News
ABC: Traditional owners burn Arnhem Land fracking plan
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-18/maningrida-traditional-owners-burn...
18 Mar 13: "Arnhem Land traditional owners have decided to paint a petition to send to Darwin and Canberra calling on the Northern Territory and Federal governments not to allow their country to be fracked. More than 80 per cent of the Northern Territory is now under application for unconventional oil and gas exploration, including most of Arnhem Land. While traditional owners can legally veto plans by Paltar Petroleum to frack their land, they have no rights over the deep sea." By Jane Bardon
* ABC RADIO NATIONAL BREAKFAST: CONCERN OVER FRACKING IN ARNHEM LAND
- Audio
ABC Radio National Breakfast: Concern over fracking in Arnhem Land
Reporter Jane Bardon; Presented by Fran Kelly
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/concern-over-frac...
18 Mar 13: "The Indigenous landowners of Arnhem Land are calling on the Northern Territory and federal governments to ban fracking in the area by Paltar Petroleum. But while traditional owners can legally veto plans to frack on land, they have no rights over the sea. ... While coal seam gas exploration and the process of fracking (or hydraulic fracturing) in regional and urban areas has become a cause of concern to many over the last year, there are now similar concerns in Arnhem Land, with traditional owners currently painting a bark petition calling on the Northern Territory and federal governments to ban fracking by Paltar Petroleum."
* NIRS: ARNHEM TRADITIONAL OWNERS OPPOSE FRACKING ON COUNTRY
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Arnhem Traditional Owners oppose fracking on Country
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/28869/Arnhem-Traditional-Owners...
20 Mar 13: "Arnhem Land traditional owners have decided to paint a petition to send to Darwin and Canberra calling on the Northern Territory and Federal governments not to allow their country to be fracked. ... In Maningrida, West Arnhem Land traditional owners have held a fiery meeting to organise their opposition."
* "ANOTHER YEAR STRONGER: CAMPAIGNERS VOW TO CONTINUE OPPOSITION TO MUCKATY PROPOSAL"
- Media Release
Another year stronger: Campaigners vow to continue opposition to Muckaty proposal
BNI: http://beyondnuclearinitiative.com/2013/03/18/another-year-stronger-camp...
18 Mar 13: "Media release- March 13, 2013 ...
One year since passage of Minister Martin Ferguson’s National Radioactive Waste Management Act, Traditional Owners and supporters have vowed to step up their campaign opposing the nuclear dump proposed for Muckaty.
Traditional Owner Penny Phillips recalls the deep sadness in the community when the law passed last year "We had very hurt feelings when the legislation passed the Senate. My old aunty Bunny Nabarula cried her heart out."
"People are really upset that we still haven’t been consulted even a year later, but we are not going to stop fighting- we will still keep telling people that this country is very important to us. We also want people to remember all of the transport accidents that have happened on the road and rail near Muckaty."
Beyond Nuclear Initiative coordinator Natalie Wasley stated, "The National Radioactive Waste Management Act gives Minister Ferguson absolute discretion on key aspects of radioactive waste management. This is a far cry from the open and transparent process promised by the ALP in opposition. If Minister Ferguson can’t deliver on these promises then he should be replaced." ... "
* BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSED MUCKATY NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP:
Last updated: 18 February 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-proposed-muckaty-nu...
* SOLIDARITY: WA ELECTION SENDS MESSAGE TO GILLARD-AND THE GREENS
- Analysis / Opinion
Solidarity: WA election sends message to Gillard-and The Greens
http://www.solidarity.net.au/54/wa-election-sends-message-to-gillard%E2%...
March 2013: "The one positive for The Greens was the Kimberley, where Aboriginal and environmental activists have waged a determined community campaign against the WA Liberal government and the James Price Point gas hub. The struggle has pushed politics to the left in the area and saw The Greens win 36 per cent of the vote in Broome and come close to winning the seat outright with 23.5 per cent overall. The Greens gained because they were the only party to oppose the development, but there is a deeper lesson. ... It is only by relating to and building activist campaigns that The Greens can become the left-of-Labor party that is sorely needed."
* HANDS OFF COUNTRY: THE GAME CONTINUES BUT OUR RESOLVE REMAINS STRONG
- News
Hands off Country: The game continues but our resolve remains strong
http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/the-game-continues-but-ou...
21 Mar 13: "The Wilderness Society legal case against EPA, with co-applicant Richard Hunter, is slowly progressing. Almost all affidavits etc have been filed and served. The next 'directions hearing' is likely in Supreme Court on 8th April (was supposed to be tomorrow but that's been adjourned). Issue of Woodside's involvement not yet resolved - will be determined by Chief Justice. Pro bono barrister Dr Hannes Schoombee has done a mountain of work on this case. Collective lobbying of Burke has been intense and involves calls on him to reject the WA 'strategic assessment' ... "
* CAUSES.COM : NO DREDGING AT JAMES PRICE POINT/PROTECT WHALE NURSERY AND MIGRATION ROUTES
- Take Action
causes.com : No Dredging @ James Price Point/Protect Whale nursery & Migration Routes
Posted by Craig Doudle
http://www.causes.com/actions/1735089-no-dredging-james-price-point-prot...
27 Feb: "To: The Honorable Tony Burke MP, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
No Dredging @ JAMES Price Point,,,,,,The West Australian Government & Woodside Energy Ltd propose to build the second largest gas plant in the world, in the world's largest whale migration corridor, off Western Australia's Kimberley coast. James Price Point is one of the largest nursery grounds found anywhere in the world. ... "
- Related Video
NITV News - 20 March part 1
http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/22674499605/NITV-News-20-March-part-1
* GREENS SENATOR RACHEL SIEWERT: JPP WHALE STUDY SHOWS WA EPA GREATLY UNDERESTIMATED DEVELOPMENT IMPACT
- Media Release
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert: JPP whale study shows WA EPA greatly underestimated development impact
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/jpp-whale-...
14 Mar 13: "A new report on whale numbers at James Price Point shows that Woodside has grossly underestimated the number of whales using the area, and that the science that informed the impact assessment is flawed.
"The potential impact of a gas hub at James Price Point on the vulnerable humpback whales that use the area has not been adequately assessed and is far higher than the company wants people to believe," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson for the Kimberley said today.
"The report, produced by the Kimberley Community Whale Research Project, shows significantly higher numbers of humpback whales using this area than was considered by the EPA during the assessment process.
"This reinforces the inadequacy of the environmental assessment already undertaken by the EPA and the WA Government," said Senator Siewert. ... "
* ABC: BOTANIST QUESTIONS THICKETS CLEARING
- News
ABC: Botanist questions thickets clearing
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-21/botanist-questions-thickets-cleari...
21 Mar 13: "The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is investigating whether a transport company illegally bulldozed vegetation near the Broome Port. Broome resident Louise Middleton says an area of land leased by Toll Mermaid has been recently cleared of monsoon vine thickets. Weeks ago, the Commonwealth listed the thickets as endangered. Ms Middleton says the plants require a permit to clear and she has accused the company of acting illegally."
* ABC: BROOME 'TIRED' OF GAS PROJECT UNCERTAINTY
- News
ABC: Broome 'tired' of gas project uncertainty
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-18/broome-tired-of-browse-gas-project...
18 Mar 13: "The Broome Shire says the community is sick and tired of the uncertainty surrounding the Browse gas project and is impatient for a decision to be made. Woodside is due to make a final investment decision by the end of June but there is speculation the company will announce its intentions earlier. The shire recently released independent polling showing more than half of Broome residents oppose the project and 33 per cent support it. Shire president Graeme Campbell says that polarised opinion seems to have been replaced by impatience."
* NIRS: WA GOVERNMENT TRIES TO BLOCK LAND CLAIMS
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service: WA Government tries to block land claims
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/28886/WA-Government-tries-to-bl...
21 Mar 13: "The Western Australian Government is trying to block moves by Aboriginal families to lodge a claim on land earmarked for the Kimberley gas hub, in a bid to hold together its land deal. The families who signed off on the $1.5 billion deal to give up land at James Price Point for an LNG precinct remain divided over whether it should proceed."
* THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY VIDEO: ISABEL LUCAS JOINS FIGHT FOR THE KIMBERLEY
- Video
The Wilderness Society: Isabel Lucas joins fight for the Kimberley
http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/kimberley/isabel-lucas-joins-figh...
20 Mar 13: "Talented Aussie actor, Isabel Lucas, has joined the fight to protect the Kimberley coast from destruction. ... A committed environmentalist, Isabel was compelled to take action out of increasing concern about the threat to James Price Point - and the people and animals that call it home - posed by plans for an enormous gas factory. Isabel is determined to help us raise $30,000 for our Supreme Court battle to stop the Kimberley gas hub in 2013."
* BACKGROUND TO THE SAVE THE KIMBERLEY CAMPAIGN - JAMES PRICE POINT, NORTH OF BROOME, WA
Last updated: 18 March 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/11/22/wgar-news-background-to-the-save-the-...
* NITV NEWS: CAPE YORK ELDERS PUSH FOR WORLD HERITAGE PROTECTION AGAINST MINING
- Video
SBS World News: Cape York elders push for World Heritage protection against mining
Source: Jeremy Geia, NITV News
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1748572/Cape-York-elders-push-for-Wor...
20 Mar 13: "Representatives from Cape York have pledged to protect their ancestral lands from mining and potentially being turned into a food bowl, in a visit to Canberra asking the federal government to nominate the region for World Heritage listing. Elders also expressed their concerns that a failure to quarantine the Cape could possibly lead to black magic reprisals. The natural beauty and wild rivers of Queensland’s Cape York Region are what traditional owners want to protect."
* GREENS SENATOR LARISSA WATERS: TRADITIONAL OWNERS WITNESS OLD PARTIES OPPOSING ROCK ART PROTECTION
- Media Release and Video
Greens Senator Larissa Waters: Traditional owners witness old parties opposing rock art protection
http://larissa-waters.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/traditiona...
19 Mar 13: ""With traditional owners from Cape York looking on, the old parties today opposed my motion in the Senate to protect the Quinkan rock art from mining.
"The full extent of the rock art in Cape York is still being explored, with traditional owners using GPS mapping to discover new sites.
"Yet the area is open for mining exploration and recently Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting applied to mine areas including known rock art sites.
"Hancock Prospecting has said it will avoid rock art sites but there’s no way this can be guaranteed with new sites still being discovered.
"It would be an absolute tragedy for pieces of this ancient heritage, some 30 000 years old, to be destroyed by mining before it is even discovered by traditional owners. ... " Senator Waters said."
* THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY: WORLD HERITAGE PUSH: TAKING THE CAPE TO CANBERRA
- Analysis / Opinion
The Wilderness Society: World Heritage push: taking the Cape to Canberra
http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/cape-york/world-heritage-push-tak...
21 Mar 13: "The past few days have been pivotal in the long-running campaign to achieve World Heritage listing for Cape York Peninsula. With only a handful of parliamentary sitting weeks remaining before the 14 September federal election, the Wilderness Society led a delegation straight to the office of the Environment Minister, Tony Burke, in Canberra. The group featured Traditional Owners from the Cape who have consented to a World Heritage nomination over their country. With thousands of petitions in hand, the delegation called on Minister Burke to nominate those parts of Cape York Peninsula which have the consent of Traditional Owners for World Heritage by July, ... "
* ALEX BAINBRIDGE, GREEN LEFT VIDEO: WILFRED HICKS: WHY WE STAND UP FOR THE BURRUP
- Video
Green Left: Wilfred Hicks: Why we stand up for the Burrup
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/53650
18 Mar 13: "Wong-goo-tt-oo elder Wilfred Hicks explains why the Burrup Peninsula is important and why it should be saved with World Heritage listing." By Alex Bainbridge "has been a socialist activist since 1990 when he first joined Resistance and then the Democratic Socialist Party. He was a founding member of the Socialist Alliance in 2001."
* OTHER ARTICLES:
- Audio Interview
The Wire: Meet the new Chief Minister
Produced by Sarah Spencer
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=10159
21 Mar 13: "Adam Giles made history in Australia by being chosen as the first Indigenous Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. Terry Mills was ousted by the CLP and Giles was elected his replacement. Last week Sarah Spencer reported the news and spoke to Aboriginal activists about their opinions. Today she talks to the new Chief Minister about his feelings, concerns and aspirations for the Northern Territory. ...
Featured in story: Adam Giles - Chief Minister of the Northern Territory"
The Wire: Ancient rock art of the Kimberley documented over 20 years
Produced by Lisa Burns & Catherine Zengerer
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=10154
20 Mar 13: "It’s almost twice the size of Victoria and spans over four hundred thousand square kilometres, so it’s no surprise that the Kimberley in the top end of Western Australia is one of the most unchartered places in Australia. But geologist, Dr Mike Donaldson, has spent the past 20 years climbing its peaks and walking through its hidden valleys, in search of ancient rock art.
Featured in story: Dr Mike Donaldson, geologist and explorer from Western Australia"
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Tassy distanced from Minister's call for change to Australia Day
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/28885/Tassy-distanced-from-Mini...
21 Mar 13: "A Labor member in Tasmania's Upper House has distanced the State Government from a Minister's push to change the date of Australia Day. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Cassy O'Connor has written to the Prime Minister asking for the date to be changed because of sensitivities in Tasmania's Aboriginal Community. Labor MLC Craig Farrell told the Upper House that was Ms O'Connor's view."
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