KLC Media Statement, 30.10.2009
More than six months after Traditional Owners gave in-principle support for a gas precinct at James Price Point, the Federal Government is yet to outline a long-term commitment to address the social impacts of the proposed gas hub.
KLC Director Wayne Bergmann said Traditional Owners for the proposed James Price Point gas hub will meet Federal Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson tomorrow in Broome.
“The last time Minister Ferguson was in Broome he signed a clause in the Heads of Agreement, acknowledging continuing discussions with Traditional Owners about the Commonwealth’s commitment to the region,” Mr Bergmann said.
“Between then and now Traditional Owners are no closer to a commitment from the Commonwealth and we’re increasingly concerned that a lack of federal government support will mean Kimberley Aboriginal people will be left worse off if the development goes ahead.
“Traditional Owners have grave concerns of the commitment of the Federal Government to proactively address the long-term suffering of Aboriginal people in the Kimberley.”
Jabirr Jabirr Traditional Owner Frank Parriman said a range of issues meant Traditional Owners were now questioning whether they could continue to support the development.
“Traditional Owner support for this development was given on a range of conditions,” said Mr. Parriman.
“They included that the highest environmental and cultural protections were upheld and that the federal government committed to consult with and support people to deal with the impacts of this development for the life of the project.
“We gave our support in good faith after talking with our communities about the opportunities the gas development could bring over the decades it will operate.
“But now, over six months later, the federal government has failed to deliver any kind of commitment to reassure us that Kimberley Aboriginal people will not end up more marginalised by this development than before.
“We cannot let a repeat of situations like the Pilbara where fly-in, fly-out mining operations shut out our people from jobs, education and a share in resource benefits.
“Four year funding agreements doled out without any consultation with our local communities will not address the enormous impacts that this development will cause.
“We are also extremely concerned at the failure of the federal government to contain the West Atlas oil spill.
“As Traditional Owners we are custodians of the Kimberley environment and we are extremely concerned about the impacts a similar spill around the hub would have on marine life.”
