Question asked at the Cairns Chamber of Commerce Breakfast

_{13 April, 2010}

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Question to Dr Paul Messenger, Managing Director, Cape Aluminia.

Thanks Chair

My name is Ian Macdonald; I am a Chamber member and am here today as part of a couple of Senate Committees that are touring around Cape York particularly investigating matters related to indigenous people.

Yesterday we were in Weipa taking evidence from various indigenous people and groups out there and it became patently clear that indigenous people want real jobs.  No amount of welfare will ever beat the dignity of a real job, of a self fulfilling employment opportunity.

Today in Cairns another Senate Committee is looking into Legislation proposed in the Federal Parliament by Tony Abbott as a Private Members Bill.  That Bill seeks to override Queensland Legislation by providing that Native Title Land in a Wild River area cannot be regulated by Queensland unless the Traditional Owners agree.

And my question is, does Cape Alumina have the support of traditional owners?

Have you been negotiating with them?

Are they on side with what you are proposing?

By way of explanation what Tony Abbott’s Bill does is constitutionally override Queensland Legislation by Commonwealth Legislation.

I can’t pre-empt what the vote in the Senate might be but it is my feel that it may well be passed by the Senate.  To become law it then has to be passed by the House of Representatives but Mr Rudd has shown no signs of support to date.

However he is a very flexible politician as recent decisions have shown and if there is clear and widespread support by indigenous communities, particularly in the Far North in a marginal electorate, you may well find that he would support the Private Members Bill and that it might become law.

So I’d be interested to hear if you Paul, and your Company, do have the support of Traditional Owners.

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