KLC+-+Peter+N

Peter Nettleton AB572 Literature Search Paper – Land Rights and the KLC **// Timeline //**
 * 1972 || Prime Minister Billy McMahon makes his Australia Day speech in which he denies land rights and precipitates the Canberra Tent Embassy. Land rights becomes front page news. He is regarded as the spokesman for big business,mining and pastoral interests. Eventually defeated by the progressive ALP led by Gough Whitlam ||
 * || At the same time, in the East Kimberley, Australian Company Ashton Mining was exploring for diamonds in a joint venture with giant American miner, Conzinc Riotinto Australia, an arrangement known as the Kalumburu Joint Venture. In accordance with contemporary custom in the industry, little regard was given to the traditional owners of the land as the exploration teams worked their way along the waterways. ||
 * 1975 || Whitlam sets up the Aboriginal Land Fund and hands the lease to Wave Hill Station NT to the Gurindji and Noonkanbah Station WA to the traditional owners. The Northern Land Council and the Central Land Council established. Whitlam subsequently sacked by Governor General John Kerr and replaced by conservative pastoralist Malcolm Fraser . ||
 * 1978 || The Kimberley Land Council (KLC) established to deal with the Kalumburu Joint Venturers.

“The KLC began in 1978 as a voice for Aboriginal people, when mining companies were exploring this last untouched country. Jimmy (Bieundurry) turned the KLC into an organization which gained the respect and confidence of communities in dealing with mining companies and government.”(Smith & Plater, P 113) ||
 * 1979 || Main diamond deposit discovered near Lake Argyle. An ‘oil and diamond rush’ ensues. Noonkanbah is invaded by miners, encouraged by the conservative pro-development WA Premier, Sir Charles Court. ||
 * 1980 || Showdown at Noonkanbah Station and the baptism of fire of the KLC. Environmentalists support traditional owners. State police arrest dozens of protesters. Court government unrepentant.

“The KLC, then in its infancy, was trying to assist the Community by drawing public attention to the situation at Noonkanbah and the issue of intrusion onto Aboriginal land by mining companies.” (Hawke & Gallagher, P 24)

The drillers won the battle, but found nothing. ||
 * 1984 || Kimberley Elder and living legend ‘Black Allan’ Barker writes the satirical song ‘Land Rights’ bemoaning lack of progress and continuing racism. I know, because I was there. ||
 * 1985 || Argyle Diamond Mine commissioned. ’Fly-in-fly-out’ workers used. No indigenous. ||
 * 1992 || High Court decision in Mabo case and birth of Native Title. Keating Labor Government welcomes it. ||
 * 1996 || High Court decision in Wik case opens the floodgates to land claims. Howard Liberal Government tries to restrict Native Title. More and more country is returned to traditional owners regardless. ||
 * 2011 || Cut to today -James Price Point – Self Determination under the gun. The KLC claims a landmark victory. Environmentalists at loggerheads with KLC and traditional owners, accusing them of selling out. ||

**// The KLC today //** The KLC is an incorporated body under the //Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)// and a Representative Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Body under Part 11 of the //Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)// for the Kimberley region of Western Australia. “The KLC acts for and on behalf of the Native Title Claimants, who are either the applicants for a determination of native title, pending applicants, or already hold native title pursuant to a determination, with respect to certain land and / or sea areas” - website In the past 5 years, KLC staff numbers have grown from 27 to 135. The KLC motto is: ** “getting back to country, looking after country and getting control of our future”. ** Among other initiatives, the KLC is the umbrella organization for the Kimberley Aboriginal Land And Culture Centre (KALACC) whose motto is: ** “To assist and promote the ceremonies, songs and dance of Kimberley Aboriginal people, to encourage and strengthen their social, cultural and legal values and ensure their traditions a place in Australian society.” ** One of its most successful recent initiatives is the //Kimberley Ranger Program// which employs and trains some 50 rangers who are out working on country, looking after the environmental heritage. **// Literature //** __ Steve Hawke & Michael Gallagher: //Noonkanbah//, Fremantle Arts Centre Press, Fremantle 1989 __ Regarded as the authoritative work on the subject of the 1979-1980 battle between the traditional owners and the State Government. Non-indigenous journalist Hawke tries to be very factual and historically accurate but cannot hide a trace of bias and a deep love of country. __ Australian Government Solicitor: //Native Title Act 1993 and Regulations With Commentary by the Australian Government Solicitor//, Office of Legal Information and Publishing, Canberra 1998 __ Contains a useful account of the etiology of Native Title Law in Australia, plus the full text of the Second Reading Speeches of Prime Minister Paul Keating on 16 November 1993 and Attorney General Darryl Williams QC on 9 March 1998 __ Ollie Smith & Diana Plater: //Raging Partners//, Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation, Broome 2000 __ A ‘black and white’ collaboration, journalist Diana Plater wears her heart very much on her sleeve. A veteran of the land rights movement from the tent embassy days, she gives a very personal account of the struggle endured by aboriginal people in an urbanised society. __ Richard Baker et al: //Working On Country//, Oxford University Press, Melbourne 2001 __ A series of essays by black and white writers, examining the alternative initiatives offered by indigenous peoples in caring for the land and sea environment. Promises hope of co-operation between black and white for a sustainable future, a hope that seems to be fading of late. __ Quentin Beresford: //Rob Riley: An Aboriginal Leader’s Quest For Justice//, Aboriginal Studies Press Canberra 2006 __ Focuses on the individual in the context of the various issues with which he was deeply concerned, including land rights and the Noonkanbah battle. By having so many irons in the fire, I think Rob Riley was his own worst enemy. **// Pictures //** KLC Noonkanbah Poster – shows the demonstrators confronting the police convoy and the KLC banner unfurled 1980. KLC Media Release 6 May 2011 – contains the highlights of the Browse LNG decision by the Traditional Owners. **// Audio //** ‘Land Rights’ – ‘Black Allan’ Barker recorded at the` Stoned Crow Wine Bar’, North Fremantle, 1984. (Yes,I was there too!). **// Websites //** [|www.argylediamonds.com.au]__ ; __[|www.klc.org.au] ; [|www.kalacc.org.au]__ ; __[|www.handsoffcountry.com.au]