Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (NT, Country Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to support Senator Duniam's motion with regard to the atrocious decision made by Minister Plibersek to put an end to the McPhillamys goldmine project going forward, which would have brought about prosperity to the Orange and Bathurst region, providing well over 870 jobs and bringing in billions of dollars to support the local economy.

I've heard a lot of rhetoric, a lot of grandstanding and a lot of sanctimonious talk with regard to this being about cultural sensitivities and supporting Indigenous Australians. It is evident that, like other projects that have been blocked by the EDO, there is no interest to support Indigenous Australians to move forward in terms of economic prosperity in this country. It's certainly in the government's favour and the Greens' favour to keep Aboriginal people diminished and dependent on welfare, dependent on government handouts, constantly, as opposed to economic empowerment and economic independence. We've heard from the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council, who had determined they were quite happy, and they were within their own rights to manage this situation going forward. And, of course, this project had met approval from the New South Wales state government to go ahead. Then, all of a sudden, the EDO—woah! They found some supposed Wiradjuri individuals who don't want this project to go ahead.

I'm having deja vu. Obviously, it wasn't enough for this government to see what happened in the Northern Territory with the Barossa project and when the EDO go about using and exploiting Indigenous people, dragging in those who don't belong to the region to claim that they do belong to the region, to put an end to economic prosperity for Aboriginal people. This is nothing new, and it has occurred again on this government's watch. It is absolutely appalling that this has in fact happened.

It has been suggested that the EDO had gone out to South East Archaeology to make their opinion clear on behalf of a Wiradjuri elder known as Ms Nyree Reynolds. I am told by some Wiradjuri that they do not actually recognise her as being Wiradjuri. In fact, if you go to the Indigenous Law Centre on the UNSW's website, Ms Nyree Reynolds claims to be Gamilaraay. So what is it? Is she Wiradjuri or is she Gamilaraay? This is the issue when you want to play around and act like you're the hero for First Nations, as you call us—for Aboriginal people in this country. This is what happens when you exploit Aboriginal people for your own benefit as opposed to doing the right thing and allowing economic prosperity to occur. The legislated body is stating that this is what is needed in the region. They are actually suggesting that there are some discrepancies here. But, no, you go with the EDO's recommendation once more, and let's see if this decision will end up in the High Court.

It will be back on you, the government—which doesn't listen—even though you ran a referendum claiming to listen to Indigenous Australians and to give them a voice. Because they don't have a voice, you're completely ignoring them now and listening to those who like to fabricate cultural sensitivity. You can't explain what the cultural sensitivities are, because they are more than likely fabricated. Let's face it: there was no cultural sensitivity prior to the EDO getting involved. Now, all of a sudden, there is cultural sensitivity. It was already passed by the New South Wales government, and it had the nod of approval by the Orange Aboriginal Land Council. Now you're just saying: 'No, we've got our experts. This is who we're listening to.' It's utterly disgraceful.