-----Original Message----- From: Webcentral <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Thursday, August 31, 2000 10:38 AM Subject: [atsic] Media Releases: Wik lives on in WA native title agreement >The native title agreement between the Nharnuwangga, Wadjarri and >Ngarlawangga peoples, industry and the State Government is proof that >coexistence is both viable and desirable, ATSIC Commissioner Terry Whitby >said today. > >"This is the exact outcome that ATSIC has been pushing all along," said >Commissioner Whitby, ATSIC Commissioner for the WA Central Zone. > >"This is a decent result and a vindication of the principle identified in >the High Court's Wik decision. It exposes the deception in the Court >Government's position that native title involves an exclusive right to land >and is an obstacle to development. > >"The WA Aboriginal Native Title Group has been consistent in maintaining >that native title issues can be resolved through negotiation and respect for >co-existing interests in land." > >Commissioner Whitby praised Clarrie Smith, Linda Riley and Gladys Leake for >their efforts in representing their people. > >"They have shown wisdom, patience and determination in pushing for a >resolution to their native claims," he said. > >"Clarrie Smith is a fine person who has been a pillar of strength and >inspiration in his own community. > >"But I also want to pay tribute to the efforts of the Aboriginal Legal >Service of WA, which has shown exemplary commitment. It has argued all >along for a negotiated outcome, and the soundness of that position was >proven in yesterday's determination. > >"From the Aboriginal point of view, one of the most important aspects of the >determination is that takes into account heritage issues. Land and heritage >are inextricably linked, and native title matters must been seen in this >context." > >The agreement should be used as the benchmark for shaping state native title >legislation, Commissioner Whitby said. > >"Both the Court Government and the Labor Opposition should take note of this >agreement and use it as the basis for developing native title policy in this >state. As such, they both should abandon their support for the existing >Bill. Likewise, Independent and other maverick politicians opposing native >title should re-examine their motives in the light of this example. > >"The State government should look to repeating its contribution to the >success of this agreement in other native title cases. Negotiation in good >faith - rather than litigation - is the key to minimising the expense on the >taxpayer." > > > >Contact: Terry Whitby 0419 964 701 > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------ RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/ To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED], and in the body of the message, include the words: unsubscribe announce or click here mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20announce This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use." RecOzNet2 is archived for members @ http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznet2%40paradigm4.com.au/
