Miners accused of destroying sacred heritage sites

Australia is facing a national crisis as our cultural and sacred heritage is systematically destroyed by profit-driven mining operations, says Greens Indigenous Senator Dorinda Cox.

Senator Cox said State governments had colluded in neglect as Indigenous native title holders the Yindjibarndi people of Western Australia, are now forced to seek $1.8 billion in compensation after the WA Government allowed Fortescue Metals Group to mine on their land without a proper land use agreement.

“This is a national disgrace that extends far beyond Western Australia, Senator Cox said.

“The WA Government’s shameful offer of $10 million to the Yindjibarndi people for the destruction of 200 sacred sites is an outright insult to all Australians.

“For too long, State governments have allowed mining cartels like Fortescue to strip-mine our land – generating over $50 billion in revenue – while First Nations communities and our cultural heritage are silenced and sidelined by Governments stitched up in gag clause agreements and now the low balling pitches begins.”

The government’s counteroffer of $10 million belittles centuries of cultural connection and fails to account for the destruction of hundreds of significant cultural sites.

“This pattern of exploitation is not isolated to the Pilbara. Similar assaults on our heritage are evident at Murujuga and other culturally significant locations across Australia.

“State governments have repeatedly demonstrated that they cannot be trusted to protect our national legacy, leaving the federal government with a clear mandate: it is time for robust, nationwide oversight.

Senator Cox said that only through Federal leadership that native title negotiations adhere to the principles of free, prior, and informed consent, and that community benefits are genuinely delivered.

“We are witnessing a pattern of cultural devastation, Yindjarbardi people are the very people that are still witnessing the destruction in slow motion to their sacred rock art at Murujuga, where our Nation’s history and identity are being sacrificed for short-term gain,” Senator Cox said.

“It’s clear that State-level policies are failing Australians. This is why federal oversight is absolutely essential.

“We must reform native title negotiations to enforce free, prior, and informed consent, deliver on stronger cultural heritage laws like the Albanese Government promised during the 2022 election and ensure that community benefits are secured for all Australians.”

Senator Cox added that this was not just a First Nations issue, after the internationally recognised disaster of Juukan Gorge,

“This very Government stood up and accepted seven of eight recommendations of that “Never again” report that I was part of in the Northern Australia committee,” Senator Cox added.

“Now they are crab crawling backwards for the mining companies of WA – SHAME!”