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Australian uranium royalties scheme damaging for aborigines

Royalties scheme hurts Indigenous: Greens

ABC News By Kirsty Nancarrow

Sep 8, 2009

The Australian Greens have accused the Federal Government of bowing to the uranium mining industry at the expense of the Northern Territory’s Aboriginal people over the issue of mining royalties.

The Senate is debating a bill that would extend the system whereby miners only pay royalties in the Territory if they are making a profit.

Senator Scott Ludlam says this will further disempower Aboriginal people and leave them with a lasting legacy and no compensation.

“I think the Government has taken its motivation entirely from the mining industry,” he said.

“They have asked the uranium mining industry what they need to get marginal prospects up and running.

“The industry has said this is one way that they can do that.

Royalties scheme hurts Indigenous: Greens – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

September 9, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, indigenous issues | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, indigenous, nuclear, uranium