Australian, The (Australia) - Thursday, May 1, 2014

Author: HEDLEY THOMAS, PAIGE TAYLOR

say their rights and culture have been trampled in his pursuit of mineral wealth on sacred sites.
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grave concern about the health and poverty of Aborigines.
But an examination by The Australian of findings by magistrates in mining court and native title cases show his main
company has failed to act in good faith, flouted rules, operated combatively, had little regard for indigenous landowners
and may even have destroyed ancient burial sites.
A key witness and senior member of the native title claim group whose evidence was accepted by the mining court,
Mathew Sampi, said yesterday he had no confidence in Mr Palmer as the tycoon had broken past pledges to spend
money on indigenous health.
up fishing and hunting in the Cape Preston area near an iron ore project built by Chinese company CITIC Pacific.
seemed real good in the beginning, saying he was going to help the Aboriginal people in the area. They destroyed a lot
documents.
Trumpeting the defection of the three indigenous MPs to his Palmer United Party this week, Mr Palmer appealed to
indigenous voters to trust his commitment to reduce child deaths above other parties.
Mr Sampi said yesterday that Mr Palmer told Aboriginal leaders he would establish health services in townships outside
Mr Sampi, in Perth with his family yesterday for chemotherapy, said it was important to stand up for his land and he
believed there were lessons for other Aborigines in his experience. According to one of the findings in 2012,
compliance.
owners of the land the company wanted to mine. Tribunal deputy president John Sosso found that Mineralogy had not
acted prudently, reasonably or responsibly in its dealings with Aborigines. In a case involving the Kuruma
Marthudundera group, elders Neil Ricky Finlay and Mr Sampi told the court of bad experiences with the company in the
Pilbara region, which includes sacred burial grounds near the Cane River and the town of Karratha.
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done in the past and is worried about what they might do on their country and the damage that they may cause to their
as to what would happen if (the company) was permitted to mine in the area. He tells the court that (Mineralogy) and the
KM people have had many arguments over the years. He states that (Mineralogy) has never done proper heritage
surveys with them and does not know where the (sacred and burial) sites are.
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waterholes, burial grounds, reliable bush tucker and hunting areas, and was of important historical and cultural value.
Edition: Australian
Section: TheNation
Page: 1
Record Number: NEWSMMGLSTRY000112996956
Copyright, 2014, Nationwide News Pty Limited
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