Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Black lives don't matter in the Beetaloo. It's as simple as that: black lives don't matter in the Beetaloo. 'Black Lives Matter' is not just a slogan or a hashtag; it's action. All we are saying is that black lives matter, not that they matter more or that yours matters less. We are stating a very simple, clear and completely unambiguous fact: black lives matter. That's all it is: our lives matter. Our lives have always mattered, but they don't matter to the people in this place. We could be working together and making a clear statement that the lives and the wellbeing of our people matter and that the actions that we take in this place matter.

Just last week I read out into this place the voices and views of the many traditional owners of what we now call the Beetaloo basin. I'll remind you of their words:

For years, we have been told lies by the gas and oil corporations. That there would be no damage to the country or poison in our waters. These companies won't even answer the most basic of questions—where they plan to drill or how many wells they want to build.

  …   …   …

Hear us when we say—we won't allow fracking gasfields on our country. Not now. Not ever.

We are united. This is our land, and we're ready to do whatever it takes to protect country.

That should be enough for every single one of us here in this place to do the right thing, especially those who say 'black lives matter,' like Labor, and 'I love my dot painting,' like the Libs. Seriously—if you really care, you'll listen to the traditional owners of the Northern Territory, who don't want their country fracked.

We can work together to stop the destruction of country, to stop the desecration of sacred sites and to end the war that we are waging on our environment, our lands, our waters, our skies, our animals, our totems and our song lines. Those stories are in your paintings. I remind every single one of you that your vote in this place will be recorded for all time. Vote to end this public money going to destroy our environment and our climate. Vote like black lives depend on it—because they do. Our lives depend on how you vote today. Our lives are in your hands.

I'm reminded of the words of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. In August this year, she said—ally solidarity:

Our First Nations peoples were the first traders on this land, they were the first exporters and they were the first diplomats, engaging with people from other lands. Should I have the honour of serving as foreign minister in an Albanese Labor government, this will be recognised at the heart of Australian diplomacy …

I say to the opposition: don't wait until then; act now. Right now, in this moment, is your chance, Labor. What's the point of an opposition that doesn't oppose? That's why you need Greens in the balance of power in this place—because we have a weak opposition. Only the Greens will kick the Liberals out and make Labor do the right thing. he traditional owners, who are made up of family clan groups—they're from the Beetaloo and they're speaking as one. They are the custodians. They are the diplomats who have the legal, moral and cultural authority to make decisions about country. Why won't you listen to them? They are fighting for it. Everything they have they're using to stop this.

Both Labor and the Liberals: you need to stop listening to the oil and gas companies that purchase you and your vote. Listen to the people. You are being given an opportunity to do the right thing. Do it now. Don't wait. Black lives don't matter in the Beetaloo unless you do the right thing. You are being given an opportunity to do the right thing. Do it now without delay. Black lives matter, but, to this lot, black lives don't matter in the Beetaloo. It's shameful! Shame! Black lives don't matter in the Beetaloo, do they? Black lives don't matter in the Beetaloo, do they?