Pearson blasts Borbidge's anti-Wik campaign

Pearson blasts Borbidge's anti-Wik campaign

By Bill Mason

BRISBANE — In the March 1 Courier-Mail, Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson explains that the Queensland government is mounting a concerted effort to create popular opposition to the High Court Wik decision supporting coexistence of native title with pastoral leases.

"The Queensland government is blatantly using its government departments and bureaucrats to undertake a comprehensive campaign to freeze all dealings in land, making Wik the excuse", Pearson wrote. "Their aim is to ensure that thousands of Queensland families are inconvenienced by delays and refusals of permits and licences, on the excuse that native title is the cause. It is a ruthless strategy ... government by hysteria and confusion."

The Queensland government has held up more than 1400 mining and land tenure applications since imposing a freeze on January 13, causing financial ruin for many small businesses. It is now reported to be considering easing the ban under pressure from the business sectors most affected.

Borbidge has also been criticised for his attacks on the alleged "judicial activism" of the High Court, with many commentators pointing out that his calls for judges to be made accountable to politicians would jeopardise the independence of the judiciary.

Borbidge appears to be manoeuvring to prepare the ground for a snap state election, centred on the alleged native title crisis. He figures he can run a racist campaign on the issue of legislation to override native title.

From GLW issue 265