Fortescue should steer clear of Aboriginal talks on land: Wyatt

Indigenous MP Ben Wyatt has said the Fortescue Metals Group should “play no role whatsoever” in Aboriginal land talks.

Indigenous MP Ben Wyatt, West Australian Labor’s Aborig­inal Affairs spokesman. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Andrew Forrest’s mining company has been warned to stay away from a crucial meeting of Aboriginal traditional owners to be held today in the remote Pilbara town of Roebourne.

Indigenous MP Ben Wyatt, West Australian Labor’s Aborig­inal Affairs spokesman, said the Fortescue Metals Group should “play no role whatsoever” in the meeting, which will see two polarised traditional owner groups fight for control over land on which the company operates its massive Solomon mine.

Members of the breakaway Wirlu-murra Aboriginal Corporation, which is backed by Fortescue, are expected to try to unseat board members from the Yindji­barndi Aboriginal Corporation. The YAC is the official native­- title body, which is opposed to Forrest and his company’s mining operation.

Mr Wyatt said Fortescue had exacerbated tensions within the community for several years, “and I am very keen to ensure that the results of the AGM are decis­ions made in clear-eyed knowledge of the interests of the Yindjibarndi people, not FMG”.

However, Fortescue chief executive Nev Power said it was disappointing Mr Wyatt had not been prepared to meet with all of the Yindjibarndi elders to understand the issues.

Fortescue’s relations with the YAC have been strained since the registered native-title group — led by its chief executive Michael Woodley — rejected an offer from the miner of $4 million a year for access to its land.