[Greens-Media] Barnett must back off Kimberley land grab

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

Barnett must back off Kimberley land grab
Wednesday 15th October 2008

The Australian Greens say WA Premier Colin Barnett is tearing up years
of consultation by threatening to compulsorily acquire land in the
Kimberley for the gas industry.
 
"Threatening Aboriginal communities with compulsory acquisition of their
land is a backward, coercive and profoundly unhelpful approach for the
new Premier to take. There is no need for Barnett's heavy handed attack
on the integrity of the discussions that have been under way for some
time."
 
"The former Government had adopted a constructive approach of
development only with informed consent of Kimberley Traditional Owners,
which is no more or less than any other community would expect. Barnett
looks set to abandon this approach and take us back to the bad old
days."
 
"Premier Barnett's pre-emptive statement today threatens to undermine
the precious goodwill that had accrued between Traditional Owners and
their representatives, environment, tourism and heritage organisations,
and State and Commonwealth agency personnel.
 
"The Greens call on the WA Government to adopt some semblance of respect
for the people and country in which they are seeking to impose this
development, rather than setting up a needless confrontation with the
people of the Kimberley and the Federal Government," Senator Ludlam
concluded. 
 
For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418
401 180
senator.ludlam at aph.gov.au  |  www.scottludlam.org.au  |
www.greensmps.org.au