ELDER ASKS MIDNIGHT OIL FOR HELP

In the Pilbara, a Banjima elder who lives in Karajini National Park is appealing to rock star Peter Garrett to help draw attention to asbestos contamination.

Maitland Parker believes the state government is failing to properly decontaminate Ngambigunha/Wittenoom Gorge and keep the Banjima people informed of its efforts.

He’s asked Mr Garrett’s band Midnight Oil to draw attention to the issue during their current farewell tour.

Midnight Oil’s 1990 song ‘Blue Sky Mine’ was inspired by the plight of workers at Wittenoom Mine who experienced asbestos-related illness.

“Peter, I’m sending you a message to help us out, regarding your song, ‘Blue Sky Mine’,” said Mr Parker in a video.

“When you play that song in your remaining concerts, wherever you’re going to perform them, give a shout out to us the Banjima people, and support us in the fight we continue to have with the state government [regarding] the clean-up of Ngambigunha Gorge.”

Midnight Oil will play at Stompen Ground in Broome on September 17 in one of their final performances.

Midnight Oil. Credit: Daniel Boud.