Jacqui Thank you Ben. Thank you very much for a very informative discussion, I'll hope that we're able to give as much information here today. I'll start first by giving you some information about Yvonne Margarula. She and her clan have established their own organization, Gundjemi Aboriginal Corporation, which employs myself and Christine Christopherson. The intent of establishing their own organization is to deal with the issues of development on Mirrar land, there is not just industrial development this also brings urban development, there is an increase in tourism development in the area as well. These are major issues which have wrought social and economic negative impact to our community.   Uranium mining was brought to Mirrar land twenty years ago and it was brought against the wishes of the Mirrar people. Our relationship with our land demands obligations that we protect that land. It is bound inexplicably beyond simply being an environmental issue, this is a human rights issue for our people. Our relationship with, and to the land is one where we conversely nurture each other, our law and power is derived from our land and that is partially recognized in the World Heritage listing, it is not simply for natural issues or simply cultural issues but recognition for both which makes it one of the most unique areas in the world. And for this reason Aboriginal People are unilaterally opposed to this development going ahead. The result for our people is that the areas of land which we harvest food from, where we take our children to be educated, where we buried our old people, will be left with a legacy of toxic waste that lasts tens of thousands of years, not only will that be the direct impact on our community but the very fundamental social fabric of our society is under immediate threat and we are provided no recognition of rights to be able to deal with this situation. The consequence for the rest of the world is an immediate increase in the level in toxic-waste and this is a problem that every country's citizens are now taking action against.   We've recently come from Germany and from Amsterdam and discussions with non-government organizations, activist groups, members of parliament and other people who are committed to insuring that there is no increase in toxic-waste in Europe. This problem is not going to go away, the controversy is going to increase and the context, the political context in Australia will ensure that Aboriginal People will be seeking the support of the international community to ensure that Australia understands that international covenants must be accepted. There is a protectionist attitude being undertaken in Australia where the rest of the world's comments and international standards are being flouted. So it's important that we raise awareness on these issues.   We will be returning in three months to make more connections with government delegates particularly in the lead up to the World Heritage Bureau's scrutiny of this site, and we are also following through on a European Parliament resolution which clearly criticized the Australian Government's stance on Jabiluka, and also provided the mechanism for member states to gain information on the Human Rights abuses that are being committed at the source of the uranium product accepted by those member states, and also environmental standards.   These are issues that the international community has committed themselves to further investigation. There is a prima facie case against the Australian Government that is agreed by the International Community and we will ensure that the Australian Government is prevented from this development proceeding under these circumstances.   Ben Well I have one question for Yvonne, which I think, would be informative for all of us here. Which is, what is the position of Senior traditional Owner of the Mirrar land? Is that like queen, what, what is it?   Jacqui The position of Senior Traditional Owner is one that is well known in Aboriginal law and also recognized in Australian law. The Senior Traditional Owner is a senior clan leader. It's the leader of a group of people who have connections by decent to an area of land and retain very strong kinship and ceremonial connections with each other. The Senior Clan Leader, the Traditional Owner, is the authority of the area of land and is charged with the responsibly of decisions concerning the future of that land and of that clan. So it is incumbent on the Senior Traditional Owner to participate in all decisions, relating to the future of the community and also any development which may take place on aboriginal land.   In the Northern Territory there is a special recognition of land rights, which was enacted in 1976. It's known as the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, and it gives people the ability to claim areas of land. Once successful they can then, they are awarded a title and the Mirrar's people have successfully claimed their land back and are recognized in Australian law to be able to access the rights under The Aboriginal Land Rights Act. Now this has been quite a controversial issue for the Mirrar people because where it has been inconvenient to industrial interests those rights have evaporated. The question for our people is in spite of quite strong legislation being in existence the evaporation of those rights really make that legislation meaningless and in the broader context of the Native Title debate in Australia the message that the Mirrar have is that ultimately we can have no faith in a piece of legislation. We are seeking a commitment from Australians, a tacit commitment, that the problems that the disadvantaged, which is experienced by our community, must be dealt with effectively and we are not seeing this mature stance being taken by the Australian Government.   Ben Is it true to say in effect that Aboriginal land rights have been granted except where they don't want to grant them?   Jacqui Aboriginal land rights are granted purely for a moral issue.   ...Back Next...