Honorable Tony Burke MP, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600.
Dear Minister
I and a broad section of the Australian Community are absolutely sickened by the events that are taking place at the James Price Point gas hub site in the Kimberley's. I have attached two pictures taken on the 5th July 2011 of Australian Police knocking over an 80 year old man who was peacefully protesting at the James Price Point gas hub site (You can see he is being protected by his son), the other one is of the same man being dragged away by his arms. I ask you, how can you let this behaviour go on ??
The arrest of many Traditional Owners of the land, especially while conducting a peaceful protest is nothing short of a crime in itself. This land has belonged to them for generations. The conduct of all parties involved ( WA Premier Barnett, Woodside, BP, Shell, BHP, Chevron) has resulted in an agreement between Woodside & the native title group, Including the 'gun to the head' of compulsory acquisition removing the possibility of free prior and informed consent and irregularities in who was able to vote, the incorrect belief of many eligible native title claimants that they thought not attending was taken as a 'no' vote. This behavior is nothing short of criminal.
Like many, many people I love the Kimberley for it's beautiful untouched lands full of native flora and fauna, some still unknown. This sometime harsh countryside is one of the last truly untouched area's of Australia and as such should be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
The traditional aboriginal custodians of this land wish to prevent the clearing of land including the removal of historical artefact's and the desecration of important cultural sites. To suggest that their peaceful protesting is in fact destroying this area, is absurd. They are protesting to stop such an event happening.
The Kimberley community has been joined by others from across the country and the world who are united in the belief that this gas hub will destroy and pollute this area. I am also very concerned about the irreparable damage this will cause to the pristine marine environment, particularly the habitat of the largest population of humpback whales in the world.
I feel we must all respect the land in which we live, while also honoring the aboriginal culture which, is deeply embedded in this nation. There are definitely viable alternatives to the processing of Browse gas on the Kimberley coast. I'm sure you are well aware of those alternatives, in particular processing the gas on a floating plant or piping to the Pilbara.
Please tell me, are you and your Government willing to be seen as a partner in the destruction of this area, that has been recommended for inclusion in the National Heritage Listing?
Please tell me what action you plan to take to ensure that the Kimberley, one of the world's great natural areas, is protected? I look forward to your response. I truly hope you can reconsider your decision to be a party to the desecration of our beautiful land.
Your sincerely
MW
http://www.savethekimberley.com/ Honorable Tony Burke MP, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600. Dear Minister I and a broad section of the Australian Community are absolutely sickened by the events that are taking place at the James Price Point gas hub site in the Kimberley's.