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Steve Penells, The Weekend West, 23-24 April 2011. A conflict over a mining deal reflects deeper issues at stake for the future of Aboriginal groups.
Aborigines thrown to the mining wolves
THROWN TO THE MINING WOLVES
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/aborigines-thrown-to-the-mining-wolves-expert-20110415-1dhcj.html
The state government has abandoned Aboriginal people, leaving them to unfairly negotiate multi-million dollar deals with mining corporations and their armies of lawyers, according to an economics policy expert [Australian National University Professor Jon Altman].
Fortescue dirty tricks claim two more heads
15 March, 2013Fortescue dirty tricks claim two more headsFMG’s Native Title “Racism” Unravels
6 February, 20136 February 2013 Gerry Georgatos of the National Indigenous Times writes “abuse and trampling of inalienable rights” in FMG’s native title dealings with the Yindjibarndi People is racist, and calls for a Royal Commission. This week he reports new evidence of intermeddling involving former FMG staffer, Michael Gallagher. DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT Native Title bombshell – racism at its worst Last November, whistleblower, ...Ending the Control of White Managers and FMG
30 January, 201330 January 2013. This week Gerry Georgatos of the National Indigenous Times writes: DOWNLOAD Wirlu-murra considers ending the control of white managers The National Indigenous Times reports that the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) has confirmed that it has engaged an external consultant “to review conflicts of interest affecting a former employee (Lillian Maher), and the NNTT’s procedures ...The Connection Of Lillian Maher, Michael Gallagher & Their Private Companies to FMG Land Access Operations
23 January, 2013Native Title Tribunal inquiry 23 January 2013 By National Indigenous Times reporter Gerry Georgatos The National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) President, Graeme Neate and the Tribunal’s Registrar, Stephanie Fryer-Smith have launched an external inquiry into a former State Manager after reports published in the National Indigenous Times revealed allegations of various improprieties in reference to undeclared interests ...4th insider blows whistle on FMG
28 November, 2012After two years of misinformation and trouble from FMG, Bruce Woodley, Chairman of the Wirlu-Murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (WMYAC)—the Yindjibarndi faction created and funded by FMG—, is so incensed at the way he and the Wirlu-murra board directors have been stage-managed by FMG operatives, that he has decided he must take a public stand against ...Conflict allegations surface in Yindjibarndi, Fortescue battle
23 November, 2012The National Native Title Tribunal and West Australian State Government may be left with no option but to launch a full inquiry into Fortescue Metals Group’s relationship with the Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation following claims an executive of the National Native Title Tribunal failed to declare her association with the Wirlu-murra group at the time ...Spotlight on FMG native title conduct—7.30 (ABC-TV tonight)
20 November, 2012TONIGHT 7.30 ABC Television—Tuesday (20 November) ABC’s 7.30 tonight investigates evidence brought to light by whistleblower/solicitor, Kerry Savas, who alleges underhanded conduct by Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) in its dealings with the Yindjibarndi people, over Fortescue’s Solomon Hub iron ore project. This follows a series of revelations over the past year about FMG’s campaign against the Yindjibarndi; their ...Fortescue using Legal System to Destroy Yindjibarndi
7 November, 2012Following last week’s news that Fortescue Metals Group’s “set up and funded” a native title splinter group to circumvent the Yindjibarndi people’s opposition to Fortescue’s defrauding land access ‘agreement’; and reports of how an FMG agent worked as an ‘inside man’ to get FMG’s land access agreement signed “one way or another”—Investigative reporter Gerry Georgatos ...Whistleblower reveals FMG Mining deal bombshell
31 October, 2012Solicitor Kerry Savas has revealed to The National Indigenous Times that, in order to circumvent negotiations with the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation, FMG created an alternate Yindjibarndi client group, the Wirlu-Murra, that would comply with Fortescue’s wishes for access to rich mining resources for a fraction of the royalty normally payable to native title holders as ...Miner tried to fudge study: anthropologist
17 October, 2012AN anthropologist engaged by Fortescue Metals Group says his services were discontinued after he refused a demand to amend sections of his report discussing indigenous heritage where the company wanted to mine. This article by Paul Cleary can be read in full on the Australian Web site here (paywall).On Radio
21 December, 2011Interviewed by Michelle Lovegrove fo SBS radio. Intv Stanley Warrie SBS Radio Living Black 21-12-11 Intv Thomas Jacob SBS Radio Living Black 21-12-11 Intv Phil Davies SBS Radio Living Black 21-12-11Clan fury as MP clears hurdle for friend Andrew Forrest
20 December, 2011West Australian Indigenous Affairs Minister Peter Collier has substantially freed the company chaired by his friend Andrew Forrest from having to comply with the state’s heritage law for its expanded mining operations in the Pilbara, says an Aboriginal group. Read more of this article by Paul Cleary in “The Australian”FMG accused of ‘Apartheid-Style’ Tatics
15 December, 2011The YAC says FMG is now demanding that Yindjibarndi people stay out of their traditional country and apply to FMG ‘managers’ for permission in writing to enter. Listen to this interviewHeritage dispute threatens Fortescue’s Pilbara expansion
23 November, 2011FORTESCUE Metals Group’s ambitious plans to expand its Pilbara mining operations face dual threats of state and federal intervention following claims that the company is riding roughshod over indigenous heritage protection.Read more on Australian SiteYindjibarndi ancestral burial
16 October, 2011FMG map showing aboriginal sites on the Fire Tail And Trinity development areas.Elders tell of pain over burial sites
15 October, 2011Unmarked burial places are scattered all over the vast lease where Fortescue Metals has begun work on its new Solomon mine, an area in which Aboriginal people have lived for millennia. The burial complex was described as ”… a highly important and significant site” in one FMG archaeological report sent to the Western Australian ...Fortescue fights orders to protect Aboriginal graves
14 October, 2011Multibillionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest and his Fortescue Metals Group are battling a government attempt to protect ancient Aboriginal graves on his giant new Solomon mine project in the West Australian Pilbara. Jan Mayman writes in the Weekend Age on October 15, 2011 Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/fortescue-fights-orders-to-protect-aboriginal-graves-20111014-1lp9a.html#ixzz1aogzUe6mCheeditha celebrates its grand old man, Ned Cheedy
19 September, 2011Ned Cheedy, elder of the Yindjibarndi people, is at least 105 years old. With such a significant milestone, the community of Cheeditha spared nothing to reflect and celebrate the lifetime of achievement and experience of Ned. ABC’s Tangiora Hinaki reports on the Respect Corroboree’ celebration for the 105 year old. Hear reportCLARIFICATION: FMG mining and construction cannot legally begin on Yindjibarndi country
16 August, 2011FMG CEO, Mr Nev Power, was quoted yesterday as saying, “We have commenced construction at Solomon.” If this gives the impression that FMG can immediately proceed with mining or rail and mining camp construction on Yindjibarndi country, within which the inaugural Firetail mine is wholly situated, the suggestion is false.Pilbara mining trainees doing it tough
15 August, 2011VIDEO: Pilbara mining trainees doing it tough (ABC News) AUDIO: Mining companies under fire in Pilbara (PM) Accusations are being levelled at Fortescue Metals that the company is failing its Indigenous trainees after some of them have had to sleep rough because of a lack of accommodation.The Native Title Amendment 9 Reform Bill
11 August, 2011Listen to this Interview The Greens are behind the Native Title Amendment 9 Reform Bill 2011 for which submissions regarding YAC v FMG are open until August 12. Meri Fatin spoke with Greens Senator Rachel Seiwert.YAC questions FMG Solomon leases
3 August, 2011Download YAC questions FMG Solomon leases August 3, 2011 An article by Rebecca Le May for AAP is circulating extensively. Fortescue Metals Group insists it has all the approvals needed to proceed with its Solomon iron ore project, but Aboriginal landowners are questioning the validity of its mining leases. Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) says it’s incorrect for ...The Yindjibarndi people take on FMG
2 August, 2011Download Article 3 August 2011 In the beautiful rugged Pilbara region of north Western Australia a struggle is being played out between a timeless culture and a culture and ideology which is threatening the vitality of humanity itself. Guardian reporter Richard Titelius interviews Michael Woodley.FMG Dispute Continues
2 August, 2011Listen or download this interview. A few weeks ago, Andrew Forrest stepped down as CEO of the Fortescue Metals Group, leaving to the new CEO, Neville Power, to deal with the ongoing native title dispute between FMG and the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation. Already Mr Power has ruled out another offer being placed on the table. This leaves the ...This is the agreement FMG wanted us to sign
1 August, 2011Download this document This is the ‘pup’ FMG tried to sell to the Yindjibarndi people. It is a contract that strips all meaningful cultural and economic control from Yindjibarndi in their country, for as long as FMG wants, and with no consideration of changing economic climate over the next few generations. Traditional owner groups dealing with ...Native Title Act should be amended – O’Faircheallaigh
29 July, 2011Listen to CAAMA Radio News Ciaran O’Faircheallaigh 29 July 2011 Prof. Ciaran O’Faircheallaigh is a native title expert from Queensland’s Griffith University. He says that while under Australia’s native title laws Aboriginal groups have a seat at the table, they often don’t have equal power.Fortescue Metals Group won’t budge on Solomon royalties, says Neville Power
27 July, 2011New FMG CEO Nev Power says a royalty deal isn’t an option. “It’s not going to happen because we know it’s not going to do any good (for the community),” Mr Power told AAP on a Fortescue mine site tour. DOWNLOAD FULL ARTICLEA lone voice in the media
26 July, 2011Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation CEO Michael Woodley was interviewed by Meri Fatin on Morning Magazine program, on RTRfm radio in Perth, on Monday 25 July. The podcast is available here. To date, this has been one of the only responses in the media to the demand for an apology to Andrew Forrest’s slur on aboriginal women and our ...More praise for Mr Ned Cheedy
19 July, 2011A letter for Mr Ned Cheedy from Hon Eric Ripper, Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia. and A letter from Cliff Weeks, Acting Director General of the Department of Indigenous Affairs.Forrest attacked over Pilbara project
18 July, 2011MINING magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has been accused of being a “corporate bully” in pushing ahead with an iron ore project in the Pilbara without traditional owner consent.AAP Article July 18, 2011 5:40PM Read more..Native title reality dashes hopes, splits community
17 July, 2011Calls for native title law reform have intensified after negotiations between a Western Australian Indigenous community and an Australian iron ore mining giant became mired in bitter dispute. Original report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on the Four Corners documentary first screened on ABC 1 at 8:30pm, 18 July 2011.What will Four Corners make of Twiggy?
17 July, 2011Four Corners 8.30pm ABC 1 TONIGHT Monday 18 July 2011 Iron and Dust 4 Corners reports on native title, FMG & Yindjibarndi Four Corners on Monday 18 July reports from the booming Western Australian Pilbara region for a rare glimpse behind the scenes of dealings between mining giants and Indigenous groups seeking a fair share of the unprecedented minerals bonanza. ...Whose Side Is Twiggy On?
20 June, 2011NEW MATILDA: Whose Side Is Twiggy On? http://newmatilda.com/2011/06/20/whose-side-is-twiggy-on/ All native title deals are inherently good. Mining companies and Indigenous groups are on the same side. Actually, it’s not quite that simple in the West, writes Sarah Burnside.The Boom- Native owners or mining companies- who benefits?
16 June, 2011Paul Cleary wonders at the “official silence” that allows some companies (Rio and BHP) to make land use agreements with traditional owners between 10 and 50 times better than self-professed Aboriginal champion Twiggy Forrest. 16 June 2011 DOWNLOAD The Boom- Native owners or mining companies- who benefits?Heritage at the mercy of Twiggy’s ministerial mate
15 June, 2011DOWNLOAD Heritage at the mercy of Twiggy’s ministerial mate Niki Morrell interviews Michael Woodley about Yindjibarndi fears for their sites under Minister Peter Collier’s watch; Collier about his conflict of interest; and Aboriginal Affairs shadow Sally Talbot about the Minister’s pecuniary interest in FMG and his untenable position as servant of the Crown. ABC Radio Northwest ...Conflicts of interest
14 June, 2011Journalist Jan Mayman writes in the Age Newspaper about the connections between Andrew Forrest and various members of the Western Australian Government, and how it is impossible for us as an Indigenous organisation in dispute with Mr Forrest to get a fair hearing. http://www.theage.com.au/national/wa-minister-in-fight-over-friends-mine-20110613-1g0i7.htmlMinister denies favours for mate
4 June, 2011DOWNLOAD Minister denies favours for mate Indigenous Affairs Minister Peter Collier faces calls to stand aside from decisions about Fortescue Metals Group after declaring the group’s billionaire boss Andrew Forrest is a friend. The West Australian 4 Jun 2011Split by Resources Riches
15 May, 2011The Weekend Australian – By Paul Cleary, May 14-15 2011 FOCUS p13 DOWNLOAD Pilbara split by resource richesRed Earth Dreaming
24 April, 2011DOWNLOAD Red earth dreaming Steve Penells, The Weekend West, 23-24 April 2011. A conflict over a mining deal reflects deeper issues at stake for the future of Aboriginal groups.The Need for Dialogue in the Land Rights Debate
20 April, 2011Download Article 20 Apr 2011 Mining companies must develop a more nuanced strategy than simple “divide and conquer” tactics. Commonwealth and State Governments must increase their role in Native Title negotiations. The current laissez-faire approach is not conducive to enterprise attraction or realising outcomes consistent with the Government’s “Close the Gap” campaign. www.futuredirections.org.au/How corporations steal land. ‘Caught in the act’ (censored video)
19 April, 2011Continue reading on Examiner.com Globally, from south Louisiana Gulf oil country, to Glen Gove Sacred Burial Grounds, to New Zealand ocean waters and remote Aboriginal communities throughout Australia, energy-related corporations are stealing land and water, often backed by government, often with covert or overt military force. A set of carefully applied tactics are applied for ...Forrest defends FMG native title meeting
19 April, 2011http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-04-12/forrest-defends-fmg-native-title-meeting/2618444 Fortescue Metals Group chief Andrew Forrest has defended his company’s conduct in a meeting held to vote on a new iron ore mine in the Pilbara. Footage from the meeting between FMG and the Yindjibarndi people shows two men struggling for control of a microphone before several elders storm out. The opposition leader Eric Ripper ...Citizen Media brings Transparency.
19 April, 2011Native Title Holders Yindjibarndi Create Controversial Video Claiming ‘Swindle’ on Iron Ore Mine: Mining Company Fights Back Negotiations between native title holders and a mining company in Western Australia have resulted in native title owners walking out of meeting, video hosting site Vimeo being legally requested to remove the footage and then, a Google Adwords ...Is the Yindjibarndi native title deal from FMG up to scratch?
19 April, 2011CRIKEY EXAMINES FMGS BAD DEAL http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/04/19/is-the-yindjibarndi-native-title-deal-from-fmg-up-to-scratch/ …there are weaknesses to the Native Title Act, which has led to the manipulation of negotiations between big mining companies and inappropriately represented native title holders.Aborigines thrown to the mining wolves
18 April, 2011THROWN TO THE MINING WOLVES http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/aborigines-thrown-to-the-mining-wolves-expert-20110415-1dhcj.html The state government has abandoned Aboriginal people, leaving them to unfairly negotiate multi-million dollar deals with mining corporations and their armies of lawyers, according to an economics policy expert .Mining chief gets death threats
16 April, 2011DOWNLOAD Mining chief gets death threats Australia’s richest man, Andrew Forrest, claims he has received death threats as a result of a national campaign against his company Fortescue Metals Group’s attempts to expand mining in the Pilbara “What he’s witnessing now is people in Australia are very angry in terms of what he’s doing.” Online ...A few jobs for our land hardly the fairest deal.
16 April, 2011Download article Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation CEO Michael Woodley’s Reply to Forrest Opinion Piece in the West Australian Page 64, 16 April 2011.Miners and land owners clash in the Pilbara
15 April, 2011ABC BUSH TELEGRAPH INT/Vhttp://www.abc.net.au/rn/bushtelegraph/stories/2011/3192621.htm Michael Mackenzie interviews lawyer for the breakaway Wirlumurra group, Ron Bower, FMG land access manager Blair McGlew, Yindjibarndi barrister George Irving and Yindjibarndi CEO Michael Woodley. Mackenzie raises serious questions about how this so-called native title meeting was conducted, and whether the voting procedures and resolutions passed, which FMG ...Social media shifts power in native title rift
15 April, 2011Last night, board members of the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) met with their lawyers in Roebourne to discuss their next strategic move forward in what is becoming a very complex and fascinating Native Title Agreement case. Native title lawyer, Simon Millman, was one of the lawyers at last night’s meeting and says it’s still possible ...A Flawed Native Title Meeting
14 April, 2011A native title meeting held in Roebourne, Western Australia, on 16th March, involving Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest could well go down in history as the defining moment when the bubble has burst with Indigenous Australians and their relationship with Australia’s richest man. National Indigenous Times Editor Stephen Hagan critically examines the rise and rise of Twiggy ...FMG accused of bullying tactics in Pilbara land battle
14 April, 2011The people in Yindjibarndi country say no to FMG’s proposed plans to mine iron ore. http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/fmg-accused-of-bullying-tactics-in-pilbara-land-battle-20110414-1df31.html A remote Aboriginal community at the centre of a land battle with Fortescue Metals Group has taken the fight to YouTube, airing a recording of a public meeting held in Roebourne last month.Twiggy’s legal team: native title video ‘incites racial hatred’
14 April, 2011RACIAL HATRED? http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/04/14/twiggys-legal-team-native-title-video-incites-racial-hatred/ Lawyers representing Fortescue Metal Group (FMG) and CEO Andrew Forrest have sent legal letters to a video hosting website requesting they take down a controversial clip of a native title meeting held in Roebourne last month despite issuing a denial to Crikey yesterday that they’d been in touch with Vimeo.FMG edits history while video of Twiggy’s “superb” native title meeting taken down
13 April, 2011CENSORSHIP http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/04/13/video-of-twiggys-superb-meeting-with-native-title-group-taken-down/ A Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) PR spinner has been editing the Wikipedia page of the mining giant, while a video entitled “FMG’s Great Native Title Swindle” uploaded by Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation expressing their concern over a native title meeting was deleted last night by host Vimeo.FMG native title meeting a ‘shambles’
11 April, 2011http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-04-11/fmg-native-title-meeting-a-shambles/2622254 The Western Australian Opposition has labelled a native title meeting, overseen by Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) boss Andrew Forrest, a “shambles” after video of the event was posted on the internet.‘This Process Is A Joke’
11 April, 2011NEW MATILDA: ‘This Process Is A Joke’ http://newmatilda.com/2011/04/11/this-process-joke/ Native title holders are just as entitled to benefit from the mineral wealth of their country as the big miners, aren’t they? Sarah Burnside on Twiggy, FMG and that video.ANDREW FORREST’S OPINION PIECE IN THE WEEKEND WEST
9 April, 2011Read Forrest Opinion Piece The Weekend West, 9 April 2011 After a week of intense attention to FMG and Andrew Forrest’s controversial dealing with the Yindjibarndi people over land access, which was triggered by the video “Twiggy Forrest & FMG’s Great Native Title Swindle,” The Weekend West published an opinion piece by Andrew Forrest. Michael Woodley ...This land is whose land?
6 April, 2011THIS LAND IS WHOSE LAND?http://www.theage.com.au/national/this-land-is-whose-land-20110405-1d30g.html Jan Mayman, April 6, 2011 The granting of mining leases, We ...CRIKEY: The video that everyone is talking about
6 April, 2011THE VIDEO EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/04/06/the-video-of-twiggy-forrest-that-everyones-talking-about/ Mining magnate Andrew Forrest has been accused of being “paternalistic” in his attempts to strike a native title deal with a group of traditional owners. The dispute involves a $5 billion iron-ore investment by Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) in the Pilbara, in Western Australia.POWERFUL PRECEDENT: Court overturns Minister
18 January, 2011While a Minister’s approval for destruction of Aboriginal heritage in South Australia has been overturned, there is a disturbing pattern in the way that Western Australian State Ministers wield their executive power for the benefit of their friends, the miners, and against the cultural future of Aboriginal people – and get away with it! Download: State ...Notice for FMG’s ‘Takeover’ Meeting
17 January, 2011On 8 December 2010 the conflict between FMG and Yindjibarndi reached a new low point when someone posted notice of a meeting of Members of the Yindjibarndi #1 Native Title Claim Group in the local newspaper, the Pilbara News. This notice was NOT posted by the main Yindjibarndi representative body [the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation – ...Stoush over FMG native title splinter group
17 January, 2011The West Australian reports that an FMG spokesman confirmed negotiations had begun with a splinter, the Wirlu-Murra Aboriginal Corporation, on a package including a signature payment and royalties. Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation executive officer, Michael Woodley, said this minority group has been “led down the garden path by dollar signs”.How Power & Privilege Work In The ‘State Of Mining’
16 January, 2011Over several months in 2006 the Palyku people pleaded with the Carpenter Labour Government and its ministers to spare country lying within the Woodstock Abydos Aboriginal Reserve – an area of large granite hills 200 kilometres south of Port Hedland that had been especially protected for its tens of thousands of ancient rock engravings. Instead, ...The Billionaire who pays no corporate tax
15 January, 2011The man leading the campaign to stop the government’s minerals resource rent tax, billionaire Andrew Forrest, has never signed a corporate income tax cheque for any of the listed companies he has run in the past 16 years.Fortescue under attack on Pilbara Native Title deal
15 January, 2011Nyiyaparli representatives instructed their land council to have their agreement with FMG rendered void because informed consent was not given by the Nyiyaparli people. Lawyer James Fitzgerald claims that the way FMG obtained the Agreement was one of the most blatant examples of unfair and unconscionable conduct by a mining company that he has seen ...Summary reports on FMG-Nyiyaparli dispute
15 January, 2011A good summary of media reportage of the FMG-Nyiyaparli dispute from 15 to 19 August 2005.Fortescue in title dispute with WA Aboriginal group
15 January, 2011The pattern repeats itself: FORTESCUE Metals accused of “declaring war” on the Jidi Jidi group after negotiations for a heritage survey turned sour.Richest man in Australia
15 January, 2011Twiggy’s fortune jumped by about $1.5 billion – or $50 million a day – courtesy of his 31 per cent shareholding in Fortescue.EXHIBIT A: Fortescue Metals’ Rip-off LAND USE AGREEMENT
20 December, 2010This is the ‘pup’ FMG tried to sell to the Yindjibarndi people. It is a contract that strips all meaningful cultural and economic control from Yindjibarndi in their country, for as long as FMG wants, and with no consideration of changing economic climate over the next few generations. Traditional owner groups dealing with FMG be ...FMG’s Destructive Agenda
12 December, 2010This notice was posted in the Pilbara News on 8 December 2010, not by the main Yindjibarndi representative body , who had been dealing with FMG without including the main group.Brand New Day?
11 December, 2010EXTRACTS from “Brand New Day?” (article by Marcus Priest, Australian Financial Review Magazine, 12 July 2006) with particular reference to how Fortescue Metals Group and Andrew Forrest deal with traditional owner groups.
More articles
LINK http://www.rtrfm.com.au/stories/type/interviews/category/politics/2834
Yindjibarndi Sacred Sites In Danger: Morning Magazine continues to follow the story of the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation and their native title negotiations with Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Metals Group. Meri Fatin spoke with Michael Woodley, CEO of the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation and asked him about the admission from Minister for Indigenous Affairs Peter Collier that he is personal friends with Andrew Forrest and takes his advice. Monday 13th June, RTRFM, Morning Magazine.
LINK http://www.rtrfm.com.au/stories/type/interviews/category/politics/2837
Meri Fatin spoke to Sally Talbot, Monday 13th June, RTRFM, Morning Magazine: Opposition Doubts Ministers Credibility: On the strength of the comments made by Indigenous Affairs minister Peter Collier on this program two weeks ago. Shadow indigenous affairs Minister Dr Sally Talbot responded by calling for the minister to stand aside from his position whenever matters related to FMG or its related partners come before him.
LINK http://www.rtrfm.com.au/stories/type/current/category/national/2790
Conflicted Minister: Meri Fatin spoke to WA Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Peter Collier, Monday 30th May. In the last few minutes of the interview the Mr Collier admitted that he “takes great guidance” from his “close personal friend” Andrew Forrest, Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation fear that the procedural fairness and independence of the Minister’s office with regard to heritage decisions have been compromised. Also see Yindjibarndi press release: “No faith in procedural fairness of Conflicted Minister and ACMC” – Yindjibarndi PR 8 June 2011
http://caama.com.au/radio/news-audio
Yindjibarndi traditional owners in Western Australia say negotiations with the Fortescue Metals Group to mine on their land will not go any further until the mining giant is prepared to re think its original royalty offer.
