Wednesday, June 22, 2011

UNLICENSED DESECRATION OF ABORIGINAL HERITAGE AT JAMES PRICE POINT





DIA Representatives with Goolarabooloo Jabbir-Jabbir representatives surveying desecration to numerous registered Aboriginal Heritage sites by Woodside and their contractors within the James Price Point area

Principal Aboriginal Custodian for James Price Point

Mr Joseph Roe

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 22 June 2011

UNLICENSED DESECRATION OF ABORIGINAL HERITAGE AT JAMES PRICE POINT

The principal Aboriginal custodian of James Price Point and Elder for the Goolarabooloo Jabbir-Jabbir people Mr Joseph Roe has thanked the Department of Indigenous Affairs’ (DIA) Compliance Officers for the thoroughness and manner in which they have conducted their investigations on traditional country over the past two days.

In a formal complaint lodged to DIA on 9 June 2011, Mr Roe provided detailed photographic and video evidence of significant damage by archaeologists and seismic testers working for Woodside. They have been recklessly damaging burial sites, middens and ancient remnant rain forests.

Over the past two days, the three DIA Officers guided by traditional custodians spent more than nine hours meticulously taking evidence of significant damage done by Woodside contractors undertaking preliminary work for the doomed gas plant.

“The damage started in early May 2011 and continues to this day”, says Mr Roe. “My most important cultural responsibility as handed down to me from my Lulu (late grandfather) is to look after these sacred sites. They’ve never had vehicles driven over them. The actions of these contractors are a painful reality, disrespectful to our culture and our ancestors.”

Mr Roe is confident that Woodside’s conduct will invalidate the section 16 permit.

“On top of damaging these sacred sites, information I have just received from the DIA Officers strongly suggest that this so-called preliminary work is not in accordance with the provisions of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA).”

Breaches of the AHA can result in criminal prosecution.

The Broome Community NO GAS campaign has blockaded Woodside workers and contractors from Manari Road for the last 16 days.


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