2016-08-07
Hon Robin Chapple MLC
Home is Heritage
Last month, the WA Government announced that it will deny funding to around 100 remote Aboriginal communities, and develop 10 into towns, imposing new regulations and an influx of people on existing residents. In response, Home is Heritage published an article on The Stringer, doubled the number of signatures on the petition to Colin Barnett, and facilitated daily phone calls to Mr Barnett's office from Home is Heritage supporters. According to supporters who made these phone calls, Mr Barnett's staff said they would read out their comments to him at the end of the week. In addition to these initial actions, Home is Heritage will facilitate phone calls to the Regional Services Reform Unit, and will continue to work with SOS Blak Australia on coordinating a joint response. In other news, the Prevention of Forced Closure of Remote Aboriginal Communities Bill 2016 was read in July, and will be read again in September.
Federal Election 2016 Road Trip
It has become quite a tradition for me to be based in Kalgoorlie at election time with the recent trip my 11th! The big change was there was no road trip this time as we now have a growing groundswell of members and supporters in Kal and this was shown by the increase in the Greens vote. In the words of my good mate Jim Thomson: “Saturday manned the Boulder primary school polling place and achieved a 97% increase in the Greens vote from that booth; all over town on average the team has so far increased the greens vote by 110 %, with one booth coming in over 200 % up (Sorry Nationals).”
I couldnt have said it better! Big thank you to the crew there for coming out on a very cold day and especially to Ben Hermann for his efforts with door knocking as well.
Burrup Tour
On the Burrup there is an egress to the northern end, which has always been constrained by the rock feature referred to as the 'jump up. This feature is also a registered site under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. During my recent trip, I was saddened when I discovered that the constraining track had just been opened up by heavy earth moving equipment. It is also now facilitating ready unfettered access to the northern end, making it accessible to just about anyone.
I always feel so privileged to be a part of the Burrup Tour and never has it been more important than now with the governments proposed changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Registry, and not even protecting areas that are registered! World Heritage Listing is a must to save the Burrup as is our support to FARA – who work to protect, preserve and promote the rock art of the Dampier Archipelago, including the BurrupPeninsula / Murujuga.
Yeelirrie Uranium Mine
Recently the EPA made the recommendation NOT to approve the Yeelirrie uranium mine proposal; you can read the EPA response to submissions here and the EPA report here. Congratulations to all those involved and all of you who lodged submissions. The local pastoralists and Traditional Owners are overjoyed. I must give a special mention to Mia Pepper for all her hard work and dedication. We couldnt have done it without you Mia!
Photos: Header - Robin on the road to Yeelirrie Robin Chapple; Robin at Murujuga Robin Chapple