Indigenous Issues

The Australian Greens today called on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to
override a comment by Resources Minister Martin Ferguson that the
Federal Government would support compulsory acquisition of land for LNG
development in the Kimberley

"When making the Apology to Aboriginal Australians early this year, the

A Federal Court ruling that will halt one of the world's largest zinc mines is a big win for Traditional Owners and for the environment, said the Australian Greens today.

The Australian Greens today called on Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to press ahead with the ongoing strategic assessment process to find the best location for an industrial Hub in the Kimberley, saying that he should not approve any LNG developments in the region outside of the agreed process.

The Australian Greens today deplored the Australian Government's approach to Indigenous rights during climate change negotiations this week.

"Mr Rudd should be explaining to the Australian people how on one hand he has made an election promise to endorse the UN Declaration of Indigenous Rights, whilst on the other hand acting to cut out any practical application of those rights in the negotiations currently underway at the UN Climate Conference in Poznan," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

The environmental and economic impact of forestry and mining in the Tiwi Islands will be scrutinised under a Senate Inquiry set up by the Australian Greens today.

"The Tiwi Islands, 80km north of Darwin, have significant biodiversity values, with eucalypt forests and tropical savannas existing alongside rainforest," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

Australian Greens spokesperson on Water, Senator Rachel Siewert, today
welcomed cross-party support for amendments to the Water Bill enabling
better Indigenous representation in the Basin plan, but pointed to the
need for further work on cultural flows and Indigenous water rights.

"This is only the first step in achieving proper Indigenous

The Australian Greens today condemned the Government's move to commence welfare quarantining trials in Cannington and the Kimberley in Western Australia.

"It is clear that the Government has not thought through the impacts of their planned welfare quarantining trials. I am appalled that the Government thinks this type of approach is the way to deal with this complex social problem," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

Plans to restrict the use of local Indigenous languages in Northern Territory schools are a backwards step, said the Australian Greens today.

"It is clear there is a huge amount of concern over English literacy in the Northern Territory, but we need to ensure there is a
researched-based reason for any radical changes to the curriculum, particularly when it comes to language," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

"What we need is evidence based policy that works towards creating better education methods for our children. We know that to engage kids with education, schools need to be accessible, culturally appropriate and meet kids' needs. These changes don't do this."

The Australian Greens say Federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson should rethink plans for a nuclear dump in the Northern Territory after evidence to a Senate Inquiry revealed strong opposition from traditional owners.

The Australian Greens today reiterated their position supporting reinstatement of the permit system in the Northern Territory, stating the need to place control back into the hands of the communities.

"Reinstating the permit system will be one step on the right path to enabling Indigenous communities to manage their own lands," said Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert.