Information nights tackle ignorance on Wik
By Andy Morison
BRISBANE -- Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation in Queensland have begun a series of information nights in marginal federal electorates. Frustrated by the federal government and the National Farmers Federation's misrepresentations of native title, ANTaR activists decided to take the debate to the people.
Information nights have been held in Manly, Lutwyche, Capalaba, Brighton, Sunnybank and Inala; another five will be held in the next few weeks.
“It is encouraging to see such good turnouts. It confirms that there are a lot of people who are concerned about this issue and who want to do something about it”, said Carol Booth, coordinator of ANTaR (Qld).
A survey conducted in the Brisbane suburb of Nundah found that less than 15% of respondents understood what the Wik decision was about. It is appalling that today, over five years after the Mabo decision, many people think that a native title claims means taking land away from someone else.
Howard's 10-point plan has now become a 300-page amendment bill. The government has done little to explain exactly what the amendments are and what their consequences will be. Instead we are patronisingly reassured with misleading promises of a “fair balance” and a “workable solution” that delivers “certainty”.
While the bill is a great leap forward for pastoralist leaseholders, many previously held rights of Aboriginal people will be taken away.
The Land Valuers Association declared that the Wik decision had no detrimental impact on the value of pastoral leases. The Australian Law Reform Commission predicted that the bill is probably unconstitutional and, if passed, could leave taxpayers open to a massive compensation bill. It could result in greater uncertainty, not certainty.
But the image of the beleaguered family in the bush, forgotten by naive city folk, is being exploited by the Howard government. This shifts the focus from denying Aboriginal people their basic rights to providing “certainty” for battling pastoralists.
Supporters of social justice for Aboriginal people and environmental protection for some of Australia's most fragile ecosystems are simply seeking to confirm what has been decided by the highest court in this country.
[ANTaR (QLD) can be contacted at 3857 6555.]
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