Australian Government Welcomes Historic Kimberley Agreement

The Australian Government today welcomed the landmark agreement between the Kimberley Land Council (KLC), Woodside and the Western Australian Government, to move forward with the Kimberley Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) precinct at James Price Point.

Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, the Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson, congratulated all parties – Traditional Owners, the KLC, Woodside and the Western Australian Government – on their enormous effort over the last few months to reach an outcome that advances the economic and social empowerment of Kimberley Indigenous communities, and which will lead to jobs, exports, revenue and economic growth throughout Australia.

While there is still lot of work to be done to make the Kimberley LNG precinct a reality, including a full and proper environmental and heritage assessment, the Australian Government is committed to addressing Indigenous disadvantage.

The Australian Government will work with the KLC and the West Australian Government to best target Commonwealth Indigenous funding for the Kimberley to complement the LNG agreement.

Ministers Macklin, McClelland and Ferguson also thanked Australian Government appointed facilitator, Mr Bill Gray AM, for the role he has played in bringing all parties together to get a successful outcome.

This is a great example of how negotiation can get better results than protracted court proceedings. This is the Government’s preferred approach to resolving native title.

There is now a great opportunity for the Commonwealth, the Western Australian Government, industry and Indigenous communities to work constructively together to bring this nation building project to fruition for the benefit of all Australians, with particular benefit for Indigenous communities in the Kimberley.