| Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) (45 min. 56 sec.) ; 278232407 bytes |
| Summary |
The story behind the stalled negotiations that could create one of Australia's biggest mining projects. Andrew "Twiggy" Forest is one of Australia's richest men. He wants to cut a deal that would give his company, Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), access to a massive chunk of land in Australia's mineral rich northwest. Michael Woodley is an elder of the Yindjibarndi people that effectively holds Native Title rights to the land in question. So far they've been unable to agree on a compensation package that could make both the company and the community rich. What's gone wrong and is there a way to find common ground?In mining terms it's called Solomon Hub, a body of land 200 kilometres south of Roebourne on the north-west coast of Western Australia. It's estimated the land holds iron ore worth $280 billion dollars at current prices. Over the next 40 years FMG is hoping to scrape some 2.4 billion tonnes of ore from the land. The infrastructure and people that come with this type of development will inevitably reduce much of the country to an industrial landscape.In return, FMG is offering a deal that would deliver the Indigenous owners cash payments of four and a half million dollars a year and undertakings to provide training, jobs and infrastructure worth up to six million dollars a year. The Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation says it wants an uncapped royalty that would guarantee them a share in FMG's expected profits. Andrew Forrest has refused this, claiming that massive streams of cash could be seen as mining welfare that would cause the people more harm than good:"I can take you back to Halls Creek or Fitzroy Crossing, or Roebourne is probably the worst example, where a preponderance of cash and not responsibility, not opportunity attached to responsibility, slowly but insidiously decimates communities and we can't support that."The head of the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation, Michael Woodley, says that this suggests Indigenous communities can't manage their own affairs:"At the end of the day I think we've displayed over some 50 years that we can walk and chew gum at the same time. We are educated; we're intelligent. The autonomy, that is what we're looking for."These differences of opinion and the failure to agree on a package have resulted in the formation of a rival group of Yindjibarndi seeking to settle with FMG. They fear if a deal isn't struck soon that they, as Indigenous owners, may get nothing.Indigenous leaders told Four Corners that, despite the hopes raised by Native Title legislation nearly 20 years ago, they believe miners maintain the upper hand in negotiations. Under the legislation all mining companies are compelled to give native title holders is a hearing. If after six months of negotiations there is no agreement, the miner can apply to the Native Title Tribunal for approval - and in almost every case the mining lease has been granted.Four Corners looks at how a potential windfall that could benefit so many has become mired in bitter dispute. Is Andrew Forest right that royalties could be the road to ruin? Are sections of the Yindjibarndi simply asking for too much? Is the Native Title legislation ruinously flawed? |
| Event |
Broadcast 2011-07-18 at 20:30:00 |
| Notes |
Classification: NC |
| Subject |
Land tenure -- Law and legislation.
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Mineral industries -- Cost effectiveness.
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Mineral lands.
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Native title (Australia)
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Negotiation in business.
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Western Australia.
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Streaming video
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| Author |
Adams, Vince, contributor
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Bower, Ron, contributor
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Cheedy, Ned, contributor
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Forrest, Andrew, contributor
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Hawkins, Simon, contributor
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Jackson, Liz, reporter
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James, Elaine, contributor
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Lockyer, Cyril, contributor
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McGlew, Blair, contributor
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O'Brien, Kerry, host
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O'Faircheallaigh, Ciaran, contributor
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Sandy, Allery, contributor
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Smith, Marshall, contributor
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Woodley, Michael, contributor
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