The Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill 2011 provides that a Queensland Government declaration of a wild river – effectively locking away the surrounding land from economic development – can only take effect if the traditional owners of the land consent to it.

 

Labor has played every trick to dodge a vote on the Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill 2011. 

Since introducing my proposal two years ago, it has now been considered by five separate parliamentary inquiries. 

 

Julia Gillard is acting at the behest of Anna Bligh in delaying and obstructing this Bill.

 

Julia Gillard and Anna Bligh have put the pursuit of Green votes and preferences ahead of the economic advancement of Queensland indigenous communities. 

 

I call on the Government to deliver a vote on this Bill this week so that the people of Queensland can see where every federal member of parliament stands on this issue.

 

This Saturday, indigenous communities throughout Queensland can pass judgment on federal and state Labor’s opposition to providing the Aboriginal people of Cape York with more control over their land and more control over their economic destiny.

 

 

19 March 2012