We received this in our inbox this morning.
It beggars belief
From time immemorial, First Nations people have cared for country — tending to its needs, and providing stewardship over it’s lands, waters and skies.
But today in the Northern Territory, Garawa elder Uncle Jack Green fears he would be “shot if he tried to pass the gate” to access the sacred sites that connects him and his Nation to culture and country.1
Why? Because multinational mining giant Glencore’s McArthur River Mine — the largest lead and zinc mine in the world, sits atop Gudanji, Yanyuwa and Garawa songlines and sacred sites.
A mere months ago, a damning UNSW report was released — sounding the alarm about 22 sacred sites under threat from irreversible damage, and ecological destruction of the McArthur River by Glecore’s mining operations. 2 Damage and destruction that Gudanji, Yanyuwa and Garawa people have been fighting for 40 years. 3
Traditional Owners already have to navigate a patchwork of state and federal legislation to protect our country and cultural heritage but one thing remains consistent amongst it all — ministerial discretion.
Ministerial discretion is the trigger that places the ability to protect tens of thousands of years of invaluable Aboriginal heritage in the hands of one person. And it’s one of the many reasons why we need a new Federal Cultural Heritage Act that removes this discretionary power.
Sean, sign the petition to protect Aboriginal history, culture and our sacred sites from destructive mining corporations and individual ministers.
Despite overwhelming opposition by Traditional Owners and major concerns raised about the consultation process, Glencore appealed directly to NT Heritage Minister Chansey Paech to overturn a refusal to issue an Authority Certificate by the NT Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority to allow the mine to legally expand. 4
Paech has backtracked for now but it makes one thing very clear — cultural heritage legislation allowing mining corporations to bunnyhop over Traditional Owners is rotten to its core.
These discretionary powers have failed Traditional Owners time and time again, in all corners of the continent.
From the Section 18 approvals in WA that allowed for the destruction of Juukan Gorge 5, to the refusal to grant protection over a section of Sydney’s light rail project where tens of thousands of Aboriginal artifacts were unearthed 6 – the power of individuals to decide what is and is not important is beyond the pale.
Our communities know what our cultural heritage and sacred sites are — not politicians or individual ministers. Sign the petition calling for a new heritage act that removes ministerial discretion.
The public outrage over Rio Tinto’s callous destruction at Juukan Gorge rightly reached international media. And together we fought for and achieved real outcomes, including the establishment of a national inquiry — and the Rio executives responsible forced out of their multi-million dollar jobs.7
So we know that when people pay attention, we can make a real impact. GetUp members like you have been standing in solidarity with Traditional Owners, and mounting the pressure to scrap this failed legislation for something that actually works.
Sean, add your name to the thousands of people standing side by side with Traditional Owners calling for new cultural heritage protection legislation that works for First Nations people, not mining corporations.
Together, we can make sure that First Nations cultural heritage is protected — no matter where it is.
In determination,
Larissa, Gadrian, Edie, Amy, Tamika, Nicole, Tish and Charlie for the GetUp team
All First Nations work at Getup is led by a team of campaigners from the Widjabul Wia-bul, Garrwa, Gooreng Gooreng, Wiradjuri, Noongar, Gubbi Gubbi, Kulkalgal and Yanyuwa nations.
References:
[1] NT Traditional Owners tell Juukan Gorge inquiry of sacred site fears. NITV 18 June 2021.
[2] New report finds sacred sites under threat due to McArthur River Mine. NITV 8 February 2021.
[3] NT Traditional Owners tell Juukan Gorge inquiry of sacred site fears. NITV 18 June 2021.
[4] Juukan inquiry looks into Glencore NT mine. 7 News 18 June 2021.
[5] Juukan Gorge report leaves WA Government and mining industry facing pressure over Section 18 moratorium. ABC 12 December 2020.
[6] Hunt rejects call for halt to light rail project to protect Aboriginal artefacts. Sydney Morning Herald 25 April 2016.
[7] Rio Tinto CEO and senior executives resign from company after Juukan Gorge debacle. The Guardian 11 September 2020.