2015-12-10
Aboriginal elders, mayors, the Rethink the Link Alliance - representing 34 different groups - and Save Beeliar Wetlands campaigners joined with state and federal parliamentarians at the Perth office of the Prime Minister today to formally request a meeting, outlining their opposition to the Roe 8 extension through the Beeliar Wetlands.
"Malcolm Turnbull has said that he will meet with Colin Barnett about the Roe 8 project, but has not afforded the same opportunity to even one of the thousands of people that have voiced their opposition to this project," Australian Greens Acting Leader and Senator for WA Scott Ludlam said today.
"Corina Abrahams, a Noongar custodian of the Beeliar Wetlands, was not given the opportunity to present her personal letter to the Prime Minister, which details the area's rich Aboriginal history and cultural significance spanning at least 6000 years.
"The groups today didn't come looking for a fight, they came looking for a fair hearing. There are not just grievances, there are real solutions that would be more effective and far better for Perth in the long run, and all without destroying the precious ecosystem at the Beeliar wetland.
"We delivered more than 1000 letters received in under 3 days from members of the community asking Mr Turnbull to come and see the wetlands for himself.
"The Prime Minister should restore funding for rail projects including Perth Light Rail, and get on with building the outer harbour. Perth will need it within a decade, no matter what. The Roe 8 project is a massive waste, it's needlessly destructive and will not solve Perth's freight challenge.
"Mr Turnbull would be making a big mistake if he just takes Colin Barnett's word for it. The WA Premier admitted on radio this morning that his state budget is in disarray. Surely that's all the reason the Prime Minister needs to take a closer look at a proposal of Mr Barnett's that has a billion dollar price tag attached to it," Senator Ludlam said.
"He should start with the impacted community, and he should start while he's right here in WA.