Greens back indigenous rights and Wild Rivers

“If Tony Abbott overturned these laws he would enable sand mining in the Aurukun wetlands and strip mining for bauxite across the Cape. Queenslanders would and should be horrified by that prospect,” said environmental lawyer and Greens lead Senate candidate for Queensland, Larissa Waters.

“The thousands of tourists who trek up the Cape every year aren’t there to see giant mining trucks. Every one of the roadhouses, tourist lodges, ferries and camping grounds – some of them indigenous enterprises – rely on the unique natural wonders of this region.

“Tony Abbott has fallen victim to the misinformation campaign about wild rivers, believing outlandish claims that the laws stop indigenous economic opportunities – they do not.

“The Wild Rivers legislation stops environmentally destructive proposals like in-stream mines and dams. It does not stop indigenous hunting, fishing, grazing or the building of community infrastructure and it does not override native title rights.

“It might be an inconvenient truth to Tony Abbott and Noel Pearson, but there was no preference deal for Wild Rivers between the Greens and the Labor government in 2009 or in any other state election.

“It is not a choice between indigenous rights and protecting rivers – the wild river laws safeguard both and that’s why the Greens support them. The wild river laws promote clean, green indigenous enterprises and have provided indigenous full-time wild river ranger jobs which protect these pristine rivers for future generations,” concluded Ms Waters.

Many indigenous leaders support the wild river laws, including:  

Gina Castelain, Director of Wik Projects, Wik-Waya Traditional Owner:

From our point of view, we don't see any way in which Wild Rivers is going to cost any jobs, and we actually see ways in which it can create jobs. - The Australian, 9 Jun 09

Richard Barkley, Tanquith Traditional Owner:

As well as better protection for the environment [with Wild Rivers legislation], there will also be more jobs. - Western Cape Bulletin, 18 Jul 07

For comment:

Larissa Waters - Australian Greens lead Senate candidate for Queensland - larissa.waters@qld.greens.org.au

Quoted in:

• 4ZZZ live interview
• http://www.nit.com.au/news/story.aspx?id=19235