Newsletter date: 23 July 2013
Contents:
* Arena Magazine Feature: James Price Point: Victory or Loss?
* Greens Senators Rachel Siewert, Scott Ludlam and Larissa Waters: What future for the Kimberley?
* Background to the Save The Kimberley Campaign - James Price Point, north of Broome, WA
* Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: The fight goes to Canberra [Aboriginal rock art]
* Len Collard and Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Simplistic offer to Noongars cannot extinguish Native Title nor solve years of neglect
* Alex Bainbridge, Green Left: Barnett makes weak native title offer
* Background to the Nyoongar Tent Embassy, Heirisson Island, Perth, WA
* Background to Mabo and Native Title
* The Wilderness Society WA: Don't destroy the Fitzroy: No place for dams, coal mining and gas fracking!
* Marc Tong, SBS Living Black: Protecting Sea Country from Seabed Mining [Featuring Mark Hewitt, CEO of the Anindilyakwa Land Council]
* Northern Land Council (NLC): Chairman urges Parliament to consider reforms [Featuring NLC Chairman Wali Wunungmurra]
* Tennant & District Times: Nuke dump search marks 8 years
* ABC Indigenous: Dust-up over nuclear waste dump hits eight years
* Background to the proposed Muckaty nuclear waste dump
* Gomeroi traditional owners of north-west NSW: Aboriginal workers protest coalmine
* Catherine Clifford, ABC Indigenous: Temporary truce between Gomeroi and Whitehaven
* ARENA MAGAZINE FEATURE: JAMES PRICE POINT: VICTORY OR LOSS?
- Analysis / Opinion
Arena Magazine Feature: James Price Point: Victory or Loss?
http://www.arena.org.au/2013/07/james-price-point-victory-or-loss/
July 2013: "The proposed-and seemingly doomed-gas hub at James Price Point has been a kind of Rorschach test, reflecting observers' ideological leanings back to them. Accordingly, when in early April Woodside Petroleum announced it would shelve the project, this news was cast both in tragic and triumphant terms. ... Fundamental questions remain. Why should needs, such as housing, for Indigenous people in remote areas be contingent on damage to their (or others’) traditional country? Why have the false binaries of development and culture, environment and economic empowerment, been so widely accepted?"
About Arena
arena - the website of left political, social and cultural commentary
http://www.arena.org.au/about/
"Arena is well known in Melbourne and Australia more broadly as a publication which has made an impact on political and cultural interpretation and practice over a period of more than thirty years. However, Arena is more than this or that publication. It is composed of a core of people with a large number of friends and supporters who have established various venues and discussion projects in Melbourne and its environs as well as engaging in a variety of practical endeavours over this period. The core value of co-operation stands at the centre of what motivates and structures the practices and discussions of people at Arena."
* GREENS SENATORS RACHEL SIEWERT, SCOTT LUDLAM AND LARISSA WATERS: WHAT FUTURE FOR THE KIMBERLEY?
- Media Release
Greens Senators Rachel Siewert, Scott Ludlam and Larissa Waters: What future for the Kimberley?
Rachel Siewert: http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/what-futur...
Scott Ludlam: http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/what-future-...
Larissa Waters: http://larissa-waters.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/what-futur...
18 Jul 13: "Three Australian Greens Senators are visiting Broome and the Kimberley this week to host a community forum and discuss alternatives to the threat of industrialisation, which continues to loom over the region.
WA Greens Senators Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam have been joined by Greens environment spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters for the visit, which will include a public forum, meetings with community members and a flyover visit of shale gas wells, a new threat to the local environment.
"The Greens have led political efforts to protect the Kimberley and James Price Point from an unsustainable future of pollution and industrialisation, and we're the only party continuing this work in the lead up to the Federal election," Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
"I have no doubt that left unchecked, Premier Barnett will continue work to turn the Kimberley into another mining region, regardless of the substantial damage to the environment, culture and heritage of the region," said Senator Siewert. ... "
- Related Audio
National Indigenous Radio Service: Greens: Mining benefits not reaching communities
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29602/Greens%3A-Mining-benefits...
19 Jul 13: "By Warren Barnsley: The Greens Indigenous Affairs spokesperson Rachel Siewert says she's observed a lack of benefits flowing through to communities affected by mining."
* BACKGROUND TO THE SAVE THE KIMBERLEY CAMPAIGN - JAMES PRICE POINT, NORTH OF BROOME, WA
Last updated: 11 July 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/11/22/wgar-news-background-to-the-save-the-...
* GERRY GEORGATOS, THE STRINGER: THE FIGHT GOES TO CANBERRA [ABORIGINAL ROCK ART]
- Analysis / Opinion
The Stringer: The fight goes to Canberra
http://thestringer.com.au/the-fight-goes-to-canberra/
18 Jul 13: "Despite a worldwide campaign to save tens of thousands of years old Aboriginal rock art along the Western Australian Pilbara coastline of the Dampier, miners and local Elders continue at odds with each other. The rock art is believed to be older than other locations in the world where human images are contained and local Wong-goo-tt-oo Elders led by Wilfred Hicks and spokespeople for the Burrup’s Senior Law Boss, Tim Douglas, have been campaigning for the Dampier Peninsula’s rock art to be World Heritage Listed." By Gerry Georgatos, a life-long human rights and social justice campaigner, a multi-award winning investigative journalist
- Related Audio
National Indigenous Radio Service: Stand Up for the Burrup’ campaign
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29596/Stand-Up-for-the-Burrup%9...
19 Jul 13: "By Gerry Georgatos: T.O' from the Burrup region in the Pilbara, are calling for Commonwealth intervention to protect what is thought to be the largest rock art precinct in the world."
* LEN COLLARD AND GERRY GEORGATOS, THE STRINGER: SIMPLISTIC OFFER TO NOONGARS CANNOT EXTINGUISH NATIVE TITLE NOR SOLVE YEARS OF NEGLECT
- Analysis / Opinion
The Stringer: Simplistic offer to Noongars cannot extinguish Native Title nor solve years of neglect
http://thestringer.com.au/simplistic-offer-to-noongars-cannot-extinguish...
12 Jul 13: "The Western Australian Government’s billion-dollar plus native title offer fails to address Noongar disadvantage nor can it extinguish Native Title rights write Len Collard and Gerry Georgatos. Much has been made of the State Government's billion-dollar plus offer to the Noongar people via the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC). But is it a Native Title offer or a politicised move to coerce a proposition that Native Title rights have been settled for all those considered Noongars, and that all future rights are extinguished?"
See:
WGAR News: $1.3 billion Native Title deal divides Noongar peoples: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer (10 Jul 13)
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/07/09/wgar-news-13-billion-native-title-dea...
* ALEX BAINBRIDGE, GREEN LEFT: BARNETT MAKES WEAK NATIVE TITLE OFFER
- News
Green Left: Barnett makes weak native title offer
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/54501
13 Jul 13: "The Nyoongar Tent Embassy has rejected an updated offer by the state government to extinguish native title, reiterating that recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty is the goal of their campaign. The South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) and the state government had negotiated a $1 billion package. ... Opponents say the value of the package is trivial when divided among the more than 35,000 Nyoongars. "If what monies this deal offers were made available to every Nyoongar there would only be a few thousand to each Nyoongar," Len Collard told The Stringer." By Alex Bainbridge, a socialist activist since 1990 when he first joined Resistance and then the Democratic Socialist Party, a founding member of the Socialist Alliance in 2001
- Related Audio
National Indigenous Radio Service: Land council questioned over representation
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29600/Land-council-questioned-o...
19 Jul 13: "By Warren Barnsley: To the West, there are questions over the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council's status as a Noongar representative body."
National Indigenous Radio Service: Noongar academic slams Native Title offer
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29563/Noongar-academic-slams-Na...
16 Jul 13: "To the West, a Noongar traditional owner and academic says WA Government's offer of a one-point-three billion dollar Native Title settlement 'short changes' the community."
* BACKGROUND TO THE NYOONGAR TENT EMBASSY, HEIRISSON ISLAND, PERTH, WA
Last updated: 10 July 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/02/nyoongar-tent-embassy-heirisson-islan...
* BACKGROUND TO MABO AND NATIVE TITLE:
Last updated: 19 July 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/02/background-to-mabo-and-native-title
* THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY WA: DON'T DESTROY THE FITZROY: NO PLACE FOR DAMS, COAL MINING AND GAS FRACKING!
- Analysis / Opinion
The Wilderness Society: Don't destroy the Fitzroy: No place for dams, coal mining and gas fracking!
http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/kimberley/protect-the-fitzroy-riv...
"The Wilderness Society is gravely concerned by looming plans for dams and large scale coal mining and gas fracking in the catchment of the Fitzroy River, the mightiest free-flowing river in the Kimberley. Governments and corporations are attempting to talk up and fast-track a range of developments, that would change forever the iconic Fitzroy River. ... The mighty Fitzroy River in Western Australia's Kimberley region - known to its Traditional Owners as 'Mardoowarra' - is one of Australia’s most important free-flowing rivers. It's full of wildlife, including an amazing 37 recorded native fish species; the river’s health and productivity is vital for Indigenous communities along the length of the river." Campaign Coordinator, The Wilderness Society WA
* MARC TONG, SBS LIVING BLACK: PROTECTING SEA COUNTRY FROM SEABED MINING [FEATURING MARK HEWITT, CEO OF THE ANINDILYAKWA LAND COUNCIL]
- Audio Interview
SBS Living Black: Protecting Sea Country from Seabed Mining
By Marc Tong
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/275600/t...
4 Jul 13: "The Anindilyakwa people of Groote Eylandt have been promised permanent protection for their sea country by the NT Chief Minister. ... Traditional owners of a unique island in the Northern Territory have begun a process to protect sea country from mining that could see Eddie Mabo's Native Title legacy extend offshore. To the Anindilyakwa people of Groote Eylandt, getting a permanent ban on seabed mining is imperative to protect their songlines significant to crossing the sea back to the mainland. ... Mark Hewitt is the CEO of the Anindilyakwa Land Council."
* NORTHERN LAND COUNCIL (NLC): CHAIRMAN URGES PARLIAMENT TO CONSIDER REFORMS [FEATURING NLC CHAIRMAN WALI WUNUNGMURRA]
- Media Release
Northern Land Council (NLC): Chairman urges Parliament to consider reforms
http://www.nlc.org.au/media-releases/article/chairman-urges-parliament-t...
15 Jul 13: "NORTHERN Land Council Chairman Wali Wunungmurra has sent a gentle reminder to Federal Parliament of his desire to have Aboriginal land rights recognised in the Australian Constitution, and that there is more work to be done for people living in Top End communities.
Reiterating what he said on ABC Darwin’s 7.30 Report recently, Mr Wunungmurra was hopeful that regardless of who would win office at the upcoming Federal election, Aboriginal people’s land rights would be protected in the Constitution.
"I think we need to go further and I know some people may disagree with me," Mr Wunungmurra said during the six-minute interview, "but I’d like to see the Land Rights Act itself becoming inserted into the Constitution of Australia; to protect it from people watering it down and tearing it apart.
"I personally think that that would be a safe place (for it)." ... "
* TENNANT & DISTRICT TIMES: NUKE DUMP SEARCH MARKS 8 YEARS
- News
Tennant & District Times: Nuke dump search marks 8 years
http://www.tennantcreektimes.com.au/story/1648830/nuke-dump-search-marks...
19 Jul 13: "THIS week marked eight years since the Federal Government broke an election promise and began pursuing the construction of the country’s first nuclear waste dump. As a result of politics and a secret deal brokered between the then-Federal Government, the Northern Land Council, and some traditional owners - a site at Muckaty Station was chosen. It was a decision vehemently opposed by other traditional owners. The anniversary has been marked with protests in Darwin, a public meeting in Melbourne, and a photographic exhibition in Brisbane."
* ABC INDIGENOUS: DUST-UP OVER NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP HITS EIGHT YEARS
- News
ABC Indigenous: Dust-up over nuclear waste dump hits eight years
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-15/opposition-grinds-on-over-muckaty-...
15 Jul 13: "A Northern Territory traditional owner has vowed to keep fighting federal government plans for a radioactive waste dump on her land. Dianne Stokes is in Melbourne today for a scheduled Federal Court directions hearing on the Muckaty waste dump. Today also marks eight years since the Federal Government announced a plan to dump nuclear waste in the Territory. Ms Stokes says she's been fighting against the plan for a long time. "I'll keep fighting until the day that they will turn around and say 'well we'll stop this and we'll listen to the traditional owners and their very strong opposition'," Ms Stokes said."
- Related News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Anti-Muckaty campaigner vows to keep going
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/29565/Anti-Muckaty-campaigner-v...
16 Jul 13: "To central Australia, eight years since the Federal Government announced a plan to dump nuclear waste at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory has been marked. Muckaty traditional owner Dianne Stokes attended the Federal Court in Melbourne yesterday for a hearing on the waste dump."
ABC News: Protesters hold a 'Don't dump on Muckaty' sign outside Charles Darwin University
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-15/protesters-hold-a-dont-dump-on-muc...
15 Jul 13: "Today marks eight years since the Howard Government announced plans to use the Territory as a site for a nuclear waste dump ... a policy continued under Labor." Shane Eecen: AAP
* BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSED MUCKATY NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP:
Last updated: 11 July 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-proposed-muckaty-nu...
* GOMEROI TRADITIONAL OWNERS OF NORTH-WEST NSW: ABORIGINAL WORKERS PROTEST COALMINE
- Statement
Aboriginal workers protest coalmine
Green Left: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/54491
13 Jul 13: "This statement was released by Gomeroi traditional owners of north-west NSW on July 8. ***
More than 50 Gomeroi traditional owners, senior elders, elders, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community members and families have formed a picket line at Whitehaven Coal near Gunnedah in north-west NSW [on July 9] amid a stopwork action in protest against the Maules Creek coalmine and the incomplete and disrespectful cultural heritage process.
Whitehaven announced last week that they had obtained all extra approvals needed to commence construction on the Maules Creek coalmine. Traditional owners are unhappy at the failure of Whitehaven to conduct rigorous cultural heritage surveys or to properly consult them about the mine plans, joining local farmers and environmentalists in opposing it.
Gomeroi traditional owner Stephen Talbot said: "Our people who were working for Whitehaven Coal have walked off the job and we are determined to fight this Maules Creek mine until they show respect to the Gomeroi people and our culture. ... "
* CATHERINE CLIFFORD, ABC INDIGENOUS: TEMPORARY TRUCE BETWEEN GOMEROI AND WHITEHAVEN
- News
ABC Indigenous: Temporary truce between Gomeroi and Whitehaven
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-12/temporary-truce-between-gomeroi-an...
12 Jul 13: "The New South Wales Department of Planning says it believes a meeting in Gunnedah between Gomeroi traditional owners and Whitehaven Coal has been helpful. A dispute over the salvage and management of Aboriginal artefacts at the site of the Maules Creek mine has developed this week, with protests outside the company's Boggabri office. Planning spokesman, Paul Searle, says he appreciates Whitehaven has conditional planning approval for the mine, one of the biggest open-cut operations in the state. But he says there appears to be a willingness by both parties to find a solution." By Catherine Clifford
See:
WGAR News: Michael Anderson: Gomeroi Protest against Whitehaven Coal (19 Jul 13)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2013/07/18/wgar-news-inaugural-meeting-of-the-pe...
WGAR News: Maules Creek Community Council: Aboriginal workers walk off the job - Whitehaven in protest at Maules Creek coal mine (19 Jul 13)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2013/07/18/wgar-news-inaugural-meeting-of-the-pe...
Sovereign Union: Protesters: Maules Creek mining activites threatens local indigenous culture and history
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/node/623
Sovereign Union: Goomeroi People call for a mining freeze on sacred lands
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/goomeroi-people-call-mining-f...
- - -
WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
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