Green group calls for cool heads as pressure mounts in Northern Australia

The Wilderness Society Inc.
Media Release
26 March 2010

The Wilderness Society today called on pro-development Indigenous leaders to take a cold shower before irreparably damaging long term relationships between Indigenous communities and environment groups. The call comes as mounting development pressures in the region continue to divide Indigenous community opinion over the future development of their land, with some Indigenous leaders yesterday lashing out at environment groups and pro-environment Indigenous groups for supporting conservation measures and opposing industrialisation of the North.

Anthony Esposito, spokesperson for The Wilderness Society said: “There are differences of opinion within Indigenous communities as well as the broader Australian community on the best development options for the North, and particularly for Indigenous communities. Some people favour large-scale industrial projects, while others want to pursue a future where protecting and managing natural and cultural values defines economic activity”.

“This is not easily resolved, as the economic and social disadvantage in Indigenous communities presents a real challenge, and so do the pressures for environmentally destructive development.” 

“Australian Governments need to lift their commitment to a more sustainable development path – one that looks after people and country. For example the level of investment in Indigenous land management, conservation programs and sustainable enterprises, is miniscule in comparison to the enormous subsidies to the mining and resource industries.”

“The debate on conservation and development, and the rights of Indigenous people, has moved on. It is time for pro-industrial Indigenous leaders to stop setting up environmentalists as ‘a straw man’ to knock over, and engage in a more mature policy dialogue.”

“There are large areas of common ground and agreement between conservation and Indigenous groups. There is often a shared conservation ethic and mutual respect for rights. Together we should push Australian governments and development proponents to help ensure a future that does not compromise the long-term health of the environment, or the natural and cultural resources of Aboriginal lands.”

“When Indigenous and conservation groups develop agreements we are very successful. Despite differences, many gains have been made. The handback of traditional homelands, support for Aboriginal-owned protected areas, legislated Indigenous water rights, and jobs and resources in land management have been achieved when we have worked together to balance our rights and interests.”

“Through vigorous and honest debate, and cooperation on the ground, we can gain a fundamental settlement on land and natural resource rights, conservation and sustainable development. We will all benefit from such an outcome,” Mr Esposito said.