I have spent much of the summer recess at my new house in Derby. Befittingly for a Mining and Pastoral MLC I now have a house in the electorate! I’ve been doing the necessary repairs and restorations, meeting neighbours and getting to know the diverse Kimberley wildlife already in residence, such as this big frill-neck who likes to relax on my balcony.
Kimberley Greens
Also whilst in the Kimberley, it was great to see that an official Kimberley Greens branch has now been established. This is a long-awaited step towards creating a permanent Green presence in the region and my thanks go out to all those who have made this happen.
The Kimberley Greens will work towards generating greater Green exposure in the region running up to the 2013 State and Federal elections, highlighting the many regional issues ignored by the major parties. With the Barnett/Grylls government pushing the industrialisation of the Kimberley with scant regard for heritage or ecology, and the continuing dereliction of basic regional services by State and Federal agencies, it is fantastic to have a local branch that will work towards achieving Green values.
Industry in the Kimberley
During my time in the Kimberley I met with the Mayala and Yawuru Indigenous groups who are both facing threats from separate mining projects in the Kimberley – the Pluton Irvine Island iron ore project and the Buru Energy oil, wet gas and unconventional gas exploration projects in the highly sensitive Canning Basin, respectively.
Members of the Mayala group are concerned that Pluton’s drilling activities on Irvine Island may have extended beyond a footprint area agreed to by the company and the Mayala. Irvine Island is a place of great significance to the traditional owners and any drilling outside the agreed area could impact heritage sites irreparably.
The Buru project in the Canning Basin involves a form of water-based hydraulic stimulation (a form of ‘fracking’ that uses foreign chemicals) which while not as hazardous as other forms of ‘fracking’, has the potential to contaminate the water table in the area as well as risking the flow of oil and other fluids to the surface. Members of the Yawuru community are very concerned about any contamination of country and most especially of the water table, which is crucial to the ecology of the whole southwest Kimberley.
I am following up both matters with the companies involved and in Parliament via a series of Questions to the Minister for Mines, Norman Moore MLC.
Indigenous Wills
As the Parliamentary year gets going in earnest, an important campaign is emerging to repeal one of the worst remaining items of discriminatory legislation from WA Law. The Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act states that when an Indigenous resident dies intestate, their estate is automatically handed over to the Public Trustee. Needless to say this not the case for non-Indigenous Western Australians and has been rightly described as ‘blatantly racist’ by the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre. KALACC and the Arts Law Centre are leading the campaign.
Although the Indigenous Affairs Minister has said he will act to repeal or amend the law he and his department are taking too long to do so. My colleagues and I will be on his case until this vestige of legislative discrimination has been consigned to history.
Portlink Project
In March the State Government announced significant funding for the long-awaited PortLink project, which will enhance Kalgoorlie’s capability as a transport hub and should see the Wiluna-Meekatharra road, currently a hazardous affair, bituminised at last. This is an important infrastructure upgrade for the Mining and Pastoral Region and one that I have campaigned for over many years. However, I remain concerned that PortLink could facilitate the movement of uranium from any future project through the region and increase the risk of having uranium exported through WA ports.
Wanjarri Nature Reserve
In the Northern Goldfields, along with Ngalia men Peter and Kado Muir, I visited the Wanjarri Nature Reserve, a portion of which is subject to a proposed land swap arrangement. The proposed arrangement would excise part of the Reserve to enable a nickel mining project on the adjacent Yakabindie Station, in return for the addition of a larger parcel of land, also from Yakabindie, to the Reserve.
The land swap would see largely degraded land swapped for a larger area with greater conservation value however I have raised concerns in Parliament that the area removed from the Reserve contains part of the Mulga Ant dreaming trail.
Although aspects of this arrangement are commendable there are a number of legislative and legal complexities that the Barnett/Grylls Government has failed to take into account in their Bill to enable the swap, which may see the land swap delayed indefinitely. This would be a poor outcome for the Ngalia community and the environment and I had proposed an amendment to the Bill that would have provided greater certainty as to the timing of the swap. Unfortunately, whilst supported by the Labor Party, the Nationals as usual voted with the government and the amendment was lost.
Condolences to the Yindjibarndi Community
I note with sadness the passing of a Yindjibarndi elder this week. He was a greatly respected Pilbara figure whose concern for his community was an inspiration to many. I mourn his passing and hope that his life remains a unifying example to the Yindjibarndi community.
Comings and Goings
I would like to thank my outgoing Research Officer Kate Davis, who is leaving to take on a legal role with the Australian Services Union. It’s been great having Kate on board and we wish her all the very best. I am excited to welcome Melanie Bainbridge to the team as my new Research Officer and look forward to doing some great work together.
All the best for the coming year, I look forward to working with you,
Robin Chapple, MLC
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region
Connect with the Greens
Robin Chapple MLC Mining and Pastoral Region, Alison Xamon MLC East Metropolitan Region,
Lynn MacLaren MLC South Metropolitan Region, Giz Watson MLC North Metropolitan Region
