Gas hub talks need to continue despite formal endorsement
Friday, 12 March 2010 15:05

Aboriginal people from across the Kimberley have formally endorsed traditional owners continuing negotiations over the proposed Kimberley gas hub.

Fifty people gathered in Broome this week for an update on negotiations between Woodside, the State government and the traditional owners over access to land at James Price Point, the proposed LNG hub.

The two-day meeting marked a breakthrough for the Jabirr Jabirr people who have native title claim to the chosen site.

Spokesman Frank Parriman says the traditional owners put forward a motion endorsing Jabbir Jabbir's co-operation with the project.

"It was great to get that support from people right across the Kimberley."

Mr Parriman, who is negotiating on behalf of the native title claimants, says the regional group voted unanimously to pass a motion of support for the process.

"Them standing up and saying we support you in what you doing. That just meant to so much and has given us more strength to work harder with Woodside and the State government to bring about regional benefits we keep talking about."

However, the Jabirr Jabirr claimant group remains divided over the gas hub with a splinter group insisting it will fight the project in the courts.

At stake is a benefits package for Aboriginal people, believed to be worth up to $2 billion.

Reporting by ABC


Matthew Leonard Written on Friday, 12 March 2010 15:05 by Matthew Leonard

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