By RUDI MAXWELL

A group of First Nations people is calling on the Federal Government to listen to Indigenous voices on offshore gas development and enhance consultation.

Traditional owners have described Labor’s approach to offshore gas development as a betrayal that breaches international law.

A group of First Nations people, including Josie Alec from the Australian Conservation Foundation and Raelene Cooper from Save our Songlines, have written and published a letter to Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney, Assistant Minister Malarndirri McCarthy and Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour.

The letter calls on the federal government to listen to Indigenous voices and claims an amendment to offshore gas legislation is intended to remove their consultation rights – rights to be heard on developments in sea country that affect cultural heritage and songlines.

The government has added an “environmental safeguard” to the proposed legislation, requiring both the environment and resources ministers to approve changes to consultation processes.

The letter-writers said the bill would silence their voices.

“When your government says, always was, always will be, that includes the lands and seas that multinational gas companies seek to destroy with their drilling into our seas and the clearing of our lands,” the letter said.

“This bill is a betrayal.

“International human rights law recognises our rights to be listened to.”

The groups said the government should instead focus on finishing its review of offshore gas consultation processes, including transparency on how it would improve First Nations input.

Ms Burney has been asked for comment.

AAP