❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Indigenous Affairs regarding allegations of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) controlling the Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation. The Minister expresses concern but defers oversight responsibility to the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, while indicating intent to seek further information.
AnsweredQoN 1033Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WIRLU-MURRA YINDJIBARNDI ABORIGINAL CORPORATION —
FORTESCUE METALS GROUP
1033. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the
Minister for Indigenous Affairs:
I refer to yesterday's
article in the National Indigenous Times and a previous article on 31 October in which former lawyer Kerry Savas and the
current Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation chairman, Bruce
Woodley, revealed control and establishment of the Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi
Aboriginal Corporation by Fortescue Metals Group.
(1) Is the minister concerned by these revelations?
(2) Will the
minister, in his capacity as the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, initiate an
inquiry into the oversight and control of the Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal
Corporation by FMG?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) Is it
fraudulent for a mining company to initiate and control an Aboriginal
corporation?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
FORTESCUE METALS GROUP
1033. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the
Minister for Indigenous Affairs:
I refer to yesterday's
article in the National Indigenous Times and a previous article on 31 October in which former lawyer Kerry Savas and the
current Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation chairman, Bruce
Woodley, revealed control and establishment of the Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi
Aboriginal Corporation by Fortescue Metals Group.
(1) Is the minister concerned by these revelations?
(2) Will the
minister, in his capacity as the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, initiate an
inquiry into the oversight and control of the Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal
Corporation by FMG?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) Is it
fraudulent for a mining company to initiate and control an Aboriginal
corporation?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) Yes.
(2)–(5)
No. The oversight of Aboriginal corporations is the responsibility of the
Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations.
Having said that, though, I am aware of the situation, and as
a result of this question and the article, I will be seeking further
clarification and information from my perspective as Indigenous affairs
minister.
question.
(1) Yes.
(2)–(5)
No. The oversight of Aboriginal corporations is the responsibility of the
Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations.
Having said that, though, I am aware of the situation, and as
a result of this question and the article, I will be seeking further
clarification and information from my perspective as Indigenous affairs
minister.
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