27 MAY 2011www.theaustralian.com.au
The end of Gove's historic injustice to traditional owners
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
1 min read
FOUR decades after bauxite mining began on the Gove peninsula, traditional owners have finally secured a benefits package worth more than $700 million over 42 years that is focused on education, jobs and business development.
The money will be paid into a future fund to secure the long-term development of the region, with a strong emphasis on payments designed to end the culture of welfare and poverty.
Yolngu elder Galarrwuy Yunupingu has led negotiations with mining giant Rio Tinto Alcan over the past three years to secure a deal that will develop the skills of his people, rather than encourage the "sit-down" mentality that has followed earlier agreements.
While the details are confidential, the agreement is structured to pay between $15m and $18m a year over the next 42 years, depending on bauxite prices. The funds could be used to support the timber and housing businesses that have been successful on Gove.
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The money will be paid into a future fund to secure the long-term development of the region, with a strong emphasis on payments designed to end the culture of welfare and poverty.
Yolngu elder Galarrwuy Yunupingu has led negotiations with mining giant Rio Tinto Alcan over the past three years to secure a deal that will develop the skills of his people, rather than encourage the "sit-down" mentality that has followed earlier agreements.
While the details are confidential, the agreement is structured to pay between $15m and $18m a year over the next 42 years, depending on bauxite prices. The funds could be used to support the timber and housing businesses that have been successful on Gove.
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