Senator Lidia Thorpe has reiterated her calls for Darwin Middle Arm industrial hub to be scrapped, following the release of a senate inquiry report, which she says clearly illustrates there is no consent from Larrakia People for the project to proceed.
The report, which was tabled in the Senate on Wednesday evening, details a range of health and environmental impacts, concerns about conflicts of interest, political interference from gas companies, and impacts on Larrakia Custodians’ cultural heritage.
The Senate committee was unable to reach agreement on any recommendations to address these concerns – instead, a number of Senators on the committee have submitted additional comments to accompany the final report.
Read Senator Thorpe’s additional comments here.
In 2022, the federal government committed $1.5 billion to the NT government, who commenced development of the industrial hub before any consultative process with Larrakia families was undertaken, the inquiry heard in April.
To date, a cultural values assessment has still not been commenced as is required under the NT Environment Protection Act.
The inquiry held hearings in Darwin and Canberra earlier this year, throughout which the committee heard from Larrakia people about a lack of genuine consultation and failure to establish a process to obtain Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
FPIC is one of the core principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), without which First Peoples’ right to self-determination is undermined.
Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:
“The evidence we heard throughout this inquiry has clearly shown that if the Middle Arm Gas Hub goes ahead, it will be an ecocidal disaster with devastating impacts on sacred Larrakia Country, as well as on the health of people living in and around Darwin.”
“It’s disappointing that this committee wasn’t able to agree to a single recommendation, despite the alarming evidence we heard about the destruction and pollution this project will create.”
“The Larrakia People were unanimous in asserting that no Free, Prior and Informed Consent has been obtained for the project and that their concerns have been ignored by both the NT and federal Labor governments.”
“This is yet another Labor betrayal of First Peoples.”
“Tanya Plibersek and Eva Lawler are ramming through this destructive project with no consent from Larrakia Custodians, whose Country and Waters it concerns.”
“The Federal Minister for Aboriginal Australians needs to be held accountable too. Her office is in Darwin near the Middle Arm site. How can she let this happen to Larrakia People?”
“Labor is not a party for First Peoples. Across the continent Labor is disregarding our human rights and right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent while giving their mates and big donors in the fossil fuel industry free reign to pollute and plunder our lands, waters and skies. It’s a deep injustice.”
Quotes attributable to Larrakia woman, Laniyuk:
“As Larrakia people, we told the senate inquiry we don’t want this polluting gas hub on our land. We want to protect the health of Country and the health of all people living in and around Darwin. Middle Arm will make people and Country sick."
"Our Elders and young people clearly outlined the harm this destruction will cause to our people, spirit and culture. It is wrong for the Labor government to pour 1.5 billion dollars into a toxic gas hub that puts the health of our people and everyone living on Larrakia land at risk."
“The government have been told time and again – by Traditional Owners, by doctors, by environmental scientists – that gas fracked from the Beetaloo Basin and Tiwi Sea Country will accelerate the climate crisis and put all of us at risk."
"It is time for the Labor government to listen to Larrakia people, and all Aboriginal people affected by the gas hub, that our land, cultures and voices matter."
“It is so important to stop Middle Arm to protect Larrakia Country and culture and the Lands and cultures of our Countrymen.”
Quotes attributable to Eric Fejo, Larrakia Elder:
“I’m gravely concerned about the future of my Country if this development proceeds. It is culturally unsafe. It will involve interfering with land that is sacred.
“As a person with knowledge and authority to speak for Country, there has not been adherence to the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent from First Nations people.
“I do not consent to this development, and to do so is contrary to customary law."
“Pushing ahead with this development against the clearly expressed wishes of Aboriginal people would be the opposite of respectful dialogue and would be yet another sorry chapter in the history of the genocide of Aboriginal people.
“The legacy of the stench of colonisation still lingers in this country. This is still unfinished business.”