MURUJUGA ABORIGINAL CORPORATION CLARIFIES WOODSIDE POSITION
The Murujuga landscape. Credit: Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation.
BY GERARD MAZZA
The Aboriginal corporation established to represent traditional custodians of Murujuga on the Burrup Peninsula has released a statement clarifying it “does not support nor oppose Woodside Energy”.
It comes after Shadow Minister for Resources Senator Susan McDonald told 7 News Regional that the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) supported Woodside’s seismic blasting plans.
Seismic blasting has commenced in waters off the Pilbara coast to map gas reserves for Woodside’s Scarborough gas project.
Gas from the Scarborough field will be processed at Woodside’s Burrup Hub facilities at Murujuga.
Senator Susan McDonald’s comments were in response to Mardudhunera custodian and former MAC Chair Raelene Cooper’s opposition to seismic blasting on cultural and environmental grounds.
Ms Cooper successfully challenged Woodside’s approval for seismic blasting in the Federal Court in September, represented by the Environmental Defender’s Office (EDO).
However, offshore regulator NOPSEMA granted Woodside new approval for the activity on Friday, with permission to begin as early as the next day.
The Senator told 7 News Regional on Tuesday: “Let’s be clear: Raelene Cooper does not represent all traditional owners. She's backed by the EDO, who’ve been clear that they want to shut down all new gas, and Woodside has the support of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation.”
MAC CEO Kim Wood said in a statement on Wednesday: “Contrary to a statement by a commentator in story aired last night on GWN, MAC does not support nor oppose Woodside Energy.
“MAC’s only role throughout the approvals process on any project is to advise of potential impact to heritage and cultural values, and the appropriate management of those values.”
MAC was formed out of the controversial Burrup and Maitland Industrial Estates Agreement (BMIEA) made between the state government and three former Native Title claimant groups in 2003.
The BMIEA contains a ‘no-objections’ clause, which some traditional custodians have said prevents them from speaking freely regarding industrial development at Murujuga.
Earlier this year, MAC stated it would welcome the opportunity to renegotiate the BMIEA.
Meanwhile, Raelene Cooper has said she is “heart-broken” that NOPSEMA granted new approvals to Woodside’s seismic blasting.
"Just two months after the Federal Court threw out Woodside’s last approval, NOPSEMA waving through new approvals on a Friday night is a breathtaking regulatory scandal that illustrates a system completely captive to Woodside’s fossil fuel interests,” she said in a statement.
“State and federal governments have brought nothing but chaos and division with their coloniser laws that continue to oppress First Nations people and our connection to Country.
“We have given the information, we have told them our culturally significant sacred stories, and yet still NOPSEMA and the state and federal governments allow for industry to continue their violence, their genocide and to commit murderous actions against First Nations people.”
A Woodside spokesperson said in a statement: "NOPSEMA has now accepted six environment plans for offshore activities by Woodside.
"Woodside has dedicated significant time and effort to consult on all of these activities and will now focus on completing the approved work.”
NOPSEMA's Head of Environment, Renewables and Decommissioning Cameron Grebe told Ngaarda Media the regulatory framework offered ‘extensive’ opportunities for First Nations consultation.
He said NOPSEMA was satisfied with Woodside’s environmental plan.