Critics on both sides take aim at title deal
31.08.2000

'It appears our rights have been bartered away between a state government and federal regime...That's an alarming development as far as indigenous people are concerned' ATSIC chairman Geoff Clark.
'The Federal ALP has turned its back on Queensland mining'- Qld Mining Council chief executive Michael Pinnock.
'Under the circumstances, yesterday's vote was the best result that could be achieved'-Gerhardt Pearson, Executive Director of Cairns-based Balkanu Pty Ltd.
'Mr Beattie has sold out the interests of Queensland'-State Opposition leader Rob Borbidge.
A COMPROMISE struck between federal and state Labor on native title rights over mining exploration would leave the mining industry in crisis and indigenous rights in disarray, critics claimed yesterday.
The Federal Opposition yesterday promised Senate support for a revised Queensland plan to limit indigenous involvement in mining exploration as a means of ending a four-year hiatus in such activity in the state.
But Queensland Mining Council chief executive Michael Pinnock said more than 1200 applications for exploration in Queensland would remain in limbo because of the extent of the revisions to the plan.
``It's done nothing to address the problems. The federal ALP has turned its back on Queensland mining,'' he said.
Mr Pinnock said instead of winning exemption from the right to negotiate, Queensland would simply get its own native title system under the Land and Resources Tribunal which would administer a federal system, with all its delays.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission chairman Geoff Clark said the outcome was ``very disappointing''.
``It appears our rights have been bartered away between a state government and federal regime and it opens up a possibility of future amendments without review by the Senate. That's an alarming development as far as indigenous people are concerned,'' he said.
ATSIC Commissioner Ray Robinson said it was ludicrous that Aborigines had only the right to be consulted about exploration on their land.
``Consultation is make a phone call. Negotiate is
iron out the wrinkles,'' Mr Robinson said.
Not all Aboriginal leaders were critical. Those from Cape York, where mining and gas pipelines are major issues, were supportive of the outcome and of Premier Peter Beattie.
Executive director of Cairns-based Balkanu Pty Ltd, Gerhardt Pearson, said all sides had to compromise to achieve a workable outcome.
``Preservation of the right to negotiate on mining leases is essential and that point was agreed,'' Mr Pearson said.
``Under the circumstances, yesterday's vote was the best result that could be achieved.''
Australian Democrats leader Meg Lees said federal Labor had ``capitulated'' to Mr Beattie and failed to protect the rights of indigenous Australians.
``It is clear that the ALP is only prepared to protect indigenous people in states where they are not in power.''
Queensland Greens spokesman Drew Hutton said Aboriginal people would lose their say over the environmental impact of exploration. ``It's their land and mining companies are going to have to leave it in a respectable state when they finish their exploration.
But this way, there'll be no native title right to negotiate on environmental issues,'' he said.
State Opposition Leader Rob Borbidge said the ``Beattie/Beazley backroom deal'' meant Queensland would have the worst of all worlds and devastate the state's job-driving resources sector.
``Mr Beattie has sold out the interests of Queensland,'' Mr Borbidge said.
``The Federal Opposition have betrayed Queensland's interests by cherry-picking those aspects of Mr Beattie's model they were prepared
to accept.''