Whistleblower reveals FMG Mining deal bombshell
Today Solicitor Kerry Savas, who spent more than a year representing the interests of the splinter Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation, told The National Indigenous Times that the organisation was a “quickly formed front” to enable the Fortescue Metals Group to circumvent negotiations with the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation to secure mining rights on Yindjibarndi lands in the Pilbara worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He said FMG created the Wirlu-Murra because they would comply with Fortescue’s wishes for land access for a fraction of the compensation reasonably sought by YAC on behalf of the Yindjibarndi People for the damage that would be caused to their country, society and culture as a result of FMG’s Solomon Project.
Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest (Left), Kerry Savas (Center) and Ron Bower of Corser and Corser.
Mr Savas said Mr Gallagher told him, “Fortescue always gets its land access agreements signed one way or another, he told me that Fortescue’s tactic was to have one of their own people get established within the Wirlu-Murra group to win their hearts and minds […] In June 2011, Michael [Gallagher] told me he had resigned from Fortescue around Christmas 2010 and just after the formation of the Wirlu-Murra group, and from that time he called himself a consultant for appearances sake so he could deny being a Fortescue employee and avoid Fortescue and himself being criticised for interfering and influencing Aboriginal groups. I asked him what possible benefit Fortescue could gain from having him covertly working in Roebourne with Wirlu-Murra. He replied plenty— just look at how Fortescue has successfully obtained access agreements from Nyaparli and Palyku people in the northern Pilbara.
Mr Savas (left) former solicitor for Wirlu-Murra splinter group—Mr Gallagher (right) FMGs ‘inside man’
http://www.nit.com.au/news/2167-exclusive-mining-deal-bombshell.html
or download 121031 Whistleblower reveals FMG Mining deal bombshell
Unbloodybelievable – so far everything I have read in such a short space of time is unbelievable, Gerry you have done an enormous job and gratitude to you to get all this out in such a short space of time.
Where are all the other reporters!
Darren
That was bloody good reporting, now that should be the power of the press
Gillian
Something needs to be done about all this, how long can YAC hang on financially fighting FMG? The National Indigenous Times should be the mainstream media, good for them in standing up to FMG and running with this story. Most importantly Kerry Savas is a pretty special dude.
Has this been sent as a press release to the mainstream media? This really is “News”; hard to imagine they can avoid running with this story.
I would recommend [...] at Perth ABC TV for a start, she did an excellent piece on [...].
I have been in contact with her over YAC issues before: can give you all the details, or would you like me to contact her?
There are plenty in the Eastern States who might take it up, too.
An important story that needs to get more news traction. Well done to the National Indigenous Times and their reporters, at least it’s out there now. It is just disgusting how all the systems work to support the wrongdoers. Premier Barnett and his mates have a lot of questions to answer but like others they will get away carrying on about supporting the big end of town. You don’t become a politician without stain, without connections. You don’t stay one for long if you talk like you want equality for all for real. Same goes for journalists, you won’t see the West Australian writing this story up in the near future.
Makes me all a tad sick in the stomach all this malady with humankind.
Some things never change, despite all the talk about social justice we still have power and money making all the decisions.
Eddie
Hoodlums running riot in the rotten state of WA set up for them to do so. Barnett should hang his head but then he is proud in supporting his mates do the business on poor old people asking that they move past flour, tea and sugar to a little more.
To Kerry Savas well done my man in speaking up and to Gerry Georgatos you are the only journalist in Australia writing this stuff, you are a champ. And to my Yindjibarndi brothers and sisters keep up the good fight because we should never settle for less than who we should be.
Kevin Matthews
If Gerry Georgatos is the only journalist in Australia writing all this then the road ahead is long one. Good on Gerry but then we need more like Gerry on board.
Disgraceful… all the proud guy wanted was 5% for them digging up and destroying his/their tribal lands. They wouldn’t even offer him 3%. Keep fighting proud guy, I can’t see why you folks shouldn’t be rich. It’s your land.. Twiggy doesn’t live there.. why shouldn’t you get 5% for the inconvenience. From the way Twiggy operates it sounds like hes’s a crook wearing a suit.. a forked tongue snake
I agree with Ian all the way.
The Yindjibarndi should put together a trust to buy up FM shock and become significant shareholders. Andrew has been fighting to save FMG and has dropped a lot of cash in and debt to do so due to poor prices. So he hasn’t the cash to stave off investors buying in like the Yindjibarndi.
You can strategise and cause Andrew enough attention by the nation and media with a significant vote or even imagine a majority vote by using your shareholder to speak up at AGMs and even to vote him out if needed.
[...] Mining’s [...] can let you in on how we need to be more strategic as Aboriginal people in dealing with the mining industry otherwise this shit will always go on.
I am not sure about this. First you do not want to become part of the problem. Second does Yindjibarndi have that sort of money, methinks not.
Your story on those mining bastards and the conquer and divide, good job my friends, good job – go get them
It is up to all of us not just Yindjibarndi, Kerry and Gerry. It is up to all of us or we leave them out to dry.
We’ve all known this and it is time the governments answered why they have done the deal with the exploiters. Good on Kerry Savas, Gerry Georgatos and all of you. Fear not for you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.
This just stinks.
The rot must deep and the mud knee high.
Kerry Savas is a hero and a humanitarian.
Gerry Georgatos is the best journalist in Australia.
Michael Woodley is legendary material.
Live long and just mighty Yindjibarndi.
Yes there is something rotten in Denmark, argh eh Western Australia methinks I mean. The rot is putrid.
How can this have been got away for so long? What’s the government been doing? Journalist Gerry Georgatos has done the work of the government. Where to from here?
Exactly. The answers lie with the government ministers! But who will ask them the questions? Their mates? I think not.
Maybe at long last, some justice may come and the people one again
Maybe but justice has been waiting a long time!
This is huge but will anything be done. Even if it comes to little a Royal Commission has to happen and the people will know the truth one way or another. Well done Gerry Georgatos. Well done YAC for staying true.
I agree it is huge but who will follow up and make happen the Royal Commission happen?
Such is life.