[Greens-Media] PM should carpet Ruddock on native title

[Twomey, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

PM should carpet Ruddock on native title 

"Recent comments by the Attorney General Phillip Ruddock are so totally
wrong that we must question his motivation," said Senator Siewert today.

"The Prime Minister needs to call him to account."

"When the Attorney General makes such misleading public statements on
one of his key legal questions he should have to explain himself."

"Does he not understand the basics of the Native Title Act, or was he
deliberately misleading the public?" asked Senator Siewert.

"Justice Wilcox spelt out the limitations of native title rights quite
specifically in handing down his judgement," said Senator Siewert.

"The reservation of land for public purposes clearly extinguishes native
title."

"In any case, the Nyoongar people have been very clear up front that
they have no intention of excluding anyone."

"Mr Ruddock was clearly fear-mongering, and wasn't prepared to let the
truth get in the way of a good scare story."

"The question is: Will the PM do anything about it, or is he implicitly
backing the Attorney General's scare campaign?" 


Confirmation of public access to beaches, foreshores and public places
(like parklands) are specifically provided for in Section 212 of the
Commonwealth Native Title Act (1993), and were enacted in 1995 the
Titles (Validation) Act (WA) and Native Title (Effect of Past Acts) Act
(WA).

	           
For more information or comment call 
Chris Twomey 
on 0407 725 025
Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au 
http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au
RESCUE THE SENATE


Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal Issues


Monday, 25 September 2006