By Michael Woodley, CEO of Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation Yindjibarndi elders travelled to Fortescue Metal’s Solomon Project mining site on Friday 25 November to brief Registrar of Aboriginal Sites, Kathryn Przywolnik, check on the safety of sacred sites in the path of FMG’s massive blasting program, and video record the impact of FMG mining operations on their culture and land. Related:Unlawful FMG heritage dealing massive sites damage at Solomon Project -- Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation website
Mainstream press coverage: Sydney Morning Herald Coverage -- Australian Mining Coverage
When the elders arrived at the security gates of the Project, their entry was blocked by FMG security guards who said they could not pass the checkpoint with their video camera because it was “company policy”. Immediately afterwards FMG issued a press release stating that elder and CEO of Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC), Mr Michael Woodley, “refused to attend under standard site safety and security conditions including that he not bring media or recording devices onto the mine construction site”.
FMG’s latest actions indicate a company in damage control. The only “safety” FMG are worried about is the “safety” of their increasingly discredited public image. The last thing FMG want is for Yindjibarndi people to bring to light more evidence of the terrible damage they are doing.
FMG’s Friday 25 press release also said that Mr Woodley had “embarked on a media campaign that is based on misinformation and misrepresentation. Michael Woodley's actions are obviously motivated by financial outcomes rather than a desire to protect Aboriginal heritage sites.”
This slander is rich coming from a company founded, largely owned, and chaired by a multi-billionaire (Andrew Forrest) whose companies have never paid a corporate tax cheque to the Australian public, have fought to block a fair tax on their super profits, and that earlier this year were unanimously found, by the full bench of the Federal Court, to have misled and deceived their shareholders and investors.
The only offence Yindjibarndi elders and Mr Woodley have caused to FMG is to have shown their PR spin and ‘good corporate citizen’ act to be a lie; and to have foiled their attempt to trick the Yindjibarndi People into signing a land use agreement that is grossly below industry standards, and which will rob present and future Yindjibarndi generations of meaningful income in return for the compulsory sacrifice of lands underpinning their culture and traditions.
Yindjibarndi elders will not be blackmailed by FMG threats to block their cameras from documenting culture or bringing evidence of their appalling behaviour to the Australian public. On 6 December, and in accordance with their rights as traditional custodians under state and federal law, Yindjibarndi will again travel to Solomon to check the safety of their sites, and to fully record them with video, GPS, stills, and the support of a team of heritage professionals who have generously offered their services pro bono.
YAC extend an invitation to media wishing to accompany the survey party. Those interested should contact: Phil Davies YAC Anthropologist/Public Officer – 0429 110 451 pdavies@juluwarlu.com.au
For further information CONTACT Michael Woodley – CEO YAC – 0419 097 130 mwoodley@juluwarlu.com.au
For media materials please contact – media@juluwarlu.com.au
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