Media Release – 8 March 2018
At a smoking ceremony outside Queensland Parliament today the Wangan & Jagalingou Family Council called on the Queensland government to rule out extinguishing W&J Native Title for Adani, the week before a crucial Wangan & Jagalingou Council’s Federal Court case commences. High quality stills and vision can be made available.
Spokesperson Adrian Burragubba said, “The Queensland Government has the power to extinguish our Native Title, but they don’t have to go down this path. Premier Palaszczuk should rule out ever extinguishing our native title for Adani.
“We are demanding a meeting with the Premier to explain why there is no consent from us for Adani’s dirty land deal, why the Queensland Government should remove its support for the Adani’s sham ILUA, stop opposing W&J Traditional Owners in the courts and not extinguish our native title.
“Adani’s destructive mine has no part in our future and would tear the heart out of our ancestral lands. Premier Palaszczuk must pledge to not extinguish our native title for a deal with Adani. [1]
“We are determined to prevent our land being taken without our consent and to protect our country and sacred places from destruction, for an empty promise of jobs and some trinkets.
“We have never given consent to this mine or the surrender of our land rights and have voted to reject a deal with Adani four times since 2012. We will not rest until this destructive proposal is abandoned.
“A clear majority of Queenslanders are with us and do not support the government pushing ahead with Adani’s mine without the consent of Traditional Owners. [2]
“It’s time the Premier stopped dodging her Government’s complicity in overturning our decisions and aiding and abetting Adani. It’s time the Queensland Government stood up for our rights,” Mr Burragubba concluded.
Media contact: Anthony Esposito, W&J Council advisor – 0418 152 743.
[1] http://wanganjagalingou.
[2] http://wanganjagalingou.