LABOR BLOCKS CAPE DEVELOPMENT WITH DECLARATION

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The declaration today that the Wenlock River system in Cape York will be considered a Wild River is further evidence of the Labor Party’s hypocrisy and spin.

Federal Opposition Spokesman for Northern and Remote Australia, Senator Ian Macdonald said that the declaration means that the State Government will now be able to block any development on the Wenlock River or its tributaries, jeopardising the futures of thousands of indigenous people living on the Cape.

“Today’s decision has robbed control of land around the Wenlock river system away from the traditional owners and placed it in the hands of Brisbane bureaucrats all in an effort to secure green votes for Labor at the next election,” Senator Macdonald said.

“The Wild Rivers laws restrict the ability to develop mines, cattle production, aquaculture and agricultural in and around river systems on the Cape.

“The declaration means that the Cape Alumina bauxite mining and port projects planned for the Western Cape are now in jeopardy with the 500 metre exclusion zone that applies to the Wenlock system restricting access to 30% of the bauxite resource at the company’s Pisolite Hills project.

“These projects would have meant $1.2 billion of investment and 1700 jobs that are desperately needed in the Cape, not to mention the improved services that would follow the development.

“Coming on top of the Rudd Government’s disastrous big new mining tax which is already destroying jobs in Queensland, this attack on future jobs could be the last straw for many indigenous and other working families in Northern Australia.

“By taking away the ability for Indigenous people to develop their own lands as they would like to the Bligh Labor Government is condemning entire Cape communities to a life of welfare dependency.

“The Coalition has spoken extensively with Traditional Owners on the Cape and they have told us just how devastating these Wild Rivers laws are, Tony Abbott and Warren Entsch have a plan to overturn the State laws and return control of the Cape to Indigenous communities.

“It is now time for the Federal Government to do the right thing and support Tony Abbott in overturing these Wild Rivers laws and return to the people of Cape York the ability to develop their own lands to help secure their own futures,” Senator Macdonald said.

End

04 June 2010

Media contact Gordon Terry      (07) 4771 3066   or   0427 960 255                 

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