YINDJIBARNDI CEO ‘HEARTENED’ AS LEGAL DISPUTE WITH BREAKAWAY GROUP COMES TO A CLOSE

The town of Roebourne is home to many Yindjibarndi people. Credit: Gerard Mazza.

Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) CEO Michael Woodley has said he is “heartened” that a legal case against his native title body by breakaway group Wirlu-Murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (WMYAC) has come to a close.

The 12-year court case regarding the management of YAC was part of a long dispute between the two groups relating to negotiations over royalty payments from FMG’s Solomon iron ore hub.

Mr Woodley said the court had found the management of YAC should not be taken out of its own hands, nor that it should be wound up as an organisation.

The court determined YAC should pay almost $680,000 to WMYAC for legal costs.

In a statement, YAC said WMYAC’s total costs would be closer to $1.5 million.

Mr Woodley said he hoped the Yindjibarndi community could reunite after the dispute.

“We are far better together, rather than being apart or having a division, because we all really are fighting for the same thing, which is the survival of Yindjibarndi,” he said.

Ngaarda Media has approached WMYAC for comment.

Listen to an interview with Mr Woodley: