[Greens-Media] Open Letter to the Premier of W.A. re: Native Title

[Danae Gibson]

Dear Premier

I acknowledge and congratulate the Nyoongar people of Western Australia
who this week were acknowledged as the traditional owners of the land
in the South West of this state by the Federal Court*.

While your government is pondering this decision, I am hopeful you
will avoid travelling the path of appealing against the ruling.

As your own member for Victoria Park, Ben Wyatt, told The West
Australian newspaper:

"It is the least form of native title that will apply to a very
small percentage of the metropolitan area. In light of the negligible
impact that this decision will have on people's property rights in WA,
I'd simply accept this decision and try to negotiate a better outcome."

I urge you to acknowledge that appealing the Federal Court decision
is not the only option available to the government.

There is an enormous opportunity to negotiate with the claimants and
to continue the former Premier, Dr Geoff Gallop's, proper and decent
attempts to continue the process of reconciliation with the indigenous
people of Western Australia.

Why spend taxpayer's money and tie up the courts' valuable time with
a long drawn out appeal?  I implore you instead to use clear thinking
and openhearted negotiation.

Yours sincerely
Giz Watson MLC

Greens WA spokesperson for Aboriginal Issues, Justice, Coastal Issues,
Fisheries, Multiculturalism, Peace and Disarmament, and Women.


* Federal Court judge, Murray Wilcox, was satisfied the Nyoongar people
  had shown their society had been maintained since the arrival of
  European settlers in 1829.

  The Nyoongar claim covers more than 190,000 square kilometres, from
  Hopetoun to north of Jurien Bay.


Danae Gibson 
Research Officer
Giz Watson MLC
9201 0575

<http://www.mp.wa.gov.au/giz-watson/>