Compulsory Acquisition of Land in Kimberley Angers Aboriginal Groups

Strategic Insights -

The West Australian government has announced its intention to compulsorily acquire land in the Kimberley for a gas precinct, despite opposition from the Kimberley Land Council (KLC) and Aboriginal claimant groups. The move will anger the KLC, which had been negotiating for an indigenous land use agreement for the land at James Price Point, north of Broome. The government's decision comes after weeks of threats and criticism from Aboriginal leaders, who argue that compulsory acquisition would "dampen support among Aboriginal people for the gas hub and threaten the project".

Key Takeaways:

  • The West Australian government will compulsorily acquire land in the Kimberley for a gas precinct, despite opposition from the Kimberley Land Council (KLC) and Aboriginal claimant groups.
  • The KLC had been negotiating for an indigenous land use agreement for the land at James Price Point, north of Broome, but the government has set a deadline of June 30 for finalization, which has not been met.
  • The compulsory acquisition will only affect land required for the gas hub precinct and will follow the requirements of all appropriate legislation.
  • The government will not extend the deadline for a fourth time, despite Aboriginal leaders' calls to negotiate in good faith.
  • The heads of agreement signed by the KLC in April 2009 included recognition of the claimants as traditional owners of the affected land and provided for stronger environmental and heritage protection.
  • Aboriginal academic Mick Dodson has said compulsory acquisition amounts to "theft" of land and should never be contemplated at a political level.
  • The government has stated that the gas hub is critical for the development of not only WA, but the indigenous community, and that economic independence and real opportunity is the best way towards self-determination for Aboriginal people.

Statistics:

  • $1.5 billion in benefits are expected to flow to indigenous communities over 30 years under the gas project.
  • The deadline to finalize an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) was June 30.
  • The government has not extended the deadline for a fourth time.
  • The gas precinct is expected to be a significant economic boon for Western Australia, with potential benefits for the Kimberley region.

Sources:

  • [Asia Pulse - "WA Premier vows to compulsorily acquire land for gas precinct"]
  • [AAP - "Kimberley gas hub project sparks Aboriginal fear"]