Mirarr Traditional Owners call for apology from Energy Resources Australia bosses

Territory Traditional Owners fighting to expand Kakadu National Park have called out what they claim are ‘disrespectful’ comments by mining bosses and an anti-Voice campaigner.

Senior Mirarr woman Yvonne Margarula — who has been fighting uranium mining at Jabiluka for decades — said the claims by ERA were “disrespectful” and aimed to undermine her people’s cultural authority as Traditional Owners. Picture: Zizi Averill

Territorians in the heart of Kakadu have called on the bosses of a uranium mine to apologise over what they claim are “disrespectful” comments amid a battle over a minerals licence.

Ahead of a Federal Court hearing over the future of Jabiluka, Mirarr Traditional Owners have expressed their anger over recent comments from Energy Resources Australia boss Brad Welsh, former Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt, and anti-Voice campaigner Nyunggai Warren Mundine.

It comes as the Rio Tinto subsidiary attempts to appeal a decision by the NT Government to reject a 10-year-extension to the minerals licence over the uranium-rich land, surrounded by Kakadu National Park.

Former Liberal Minister for Indigenous Affairs Ken Wyatt has been asked to apologise to Mirarr people for undermining their cultural authority. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE/Philip Gostelow

In legal documents, chief executive Mr Welsh and ERA independent director Mr Wyatt claimed the mining company was best placed to protect the Mirarr People’s lands due to a veto-provision under the Long Term Care and Maintenance agreement.

Senior Mirarr woman Yvonne Margarula — who has been fighting uranium mining at Jabiluka for decades — said these claims were “disrespectful” and aimed to undermine their cultural authority.

“Our message to both Brad Welsh and Ken Wyatt is to remember who you work for and stop talking about what’s best on someone else’s country,” Ms Margarula said.

However, an ERA spokesman said it was not seeking to “speak for the Mirarr”, but was stating the company’s position the legally binding veto over development “is the best arrangement to protect Jabiluka’s cultural heritage”.

“Unlike a national park determination, the veto cannot be overruled by government,” he said.

“ERA would welcome a meaningful face-to-face dialogue with the Mirarr on Jabiluka and to discuss the company’s view that the veto right over development is the best arrangement to protect the site.”

Warren Mundine wrote an opinion piece opposing the expansion of Kakadu National Park following the expiry of the Jabiluka lease. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

The Mirarr people’s push to unite Jabiluka with the surrounding World Heritage Protected Kakadu National Park has been backed by both the federal and the former NT government.

Ms Margarula also took issue with an opinion piece by former Indigenous Advisory Council chair Mr Mundine, who wrote cultural heritage laws were being “weaponised” by “green-left activists”.

The Bundjalung man — who is also non-executive director of two Australian-based exploration and mining companies with interests in uranium — said the economic benefits of nuclear fuel should be prioritised.

“The Mirarr leadership today opposes mining. But this decision by the federal government has been made, not just for them, but for all Mirarr people now and in the ­future, even if their children and grandchildren have a different view,” Mr Mundine wrote.

Ms Margarula said Mr Mundine’s article “suggested that Mirarr don’t know what’s best for our community, (but) at least he understands our right to speak for our own country”.

Corben Mudjandi alongside other Mirarr Traditional Owners held a protest outside the Energy Resources of Australia Annual General Meeting of shareholders at the Oaks Darwin Elan Hotel, Wood St over a proposed mine lease extension for Jabiluka. Picture: Zizi Averill

Mirarr man Corben Mudjandi said Mr Mundine ignored the business expertise within his community and “mining is not the only option for economic development”.

“They seem to think a national park is much worse for the rights of Aboriginal people than a mining lease,” Mr Mudjandi said.

“We have lived for decades with the impacts of both and do not agree that a mining lease is better than a national park.”

Mirarr man Corben Mudjandi speaking with former federal Indigenous Affairs minister Ken Wyatt outside the Energy Resources of Australia Annual General Meeting of shareholders. Picture: Zizi Averill

ERA also claimed in legal documents it was were not told of the Traditional Owner’s strong opposition to extending the 42-year lease, despite a decades-long campaign by the Mirarr people, including recent protests outside the April general meeting where Mr Wyatt spoke with Mr Mudjandi.

Mr Mundine was contacted for comment but did not respond by time of publication.

Originally published as Mirarr Traditional Owners call for apology from Energy Resources Australia bosses