Qld: Beattie comments set reconciliation back 50 years, Robinson

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2000
Qld: Beattie comments set reconciliation back 50 years, Robinson

By Barbara Adam

BRISBANE, April 20 AAP - Queensland's proposed native title laws would be challenged
in the High Court if they were approved by the federal government, ATSIC deputy chairman
Ray Robinson predicted today.

Mr Robinson's warning comes as Queensland's native title regime awaits the approval
of federal Attorney-General Daryl Williams, more than two years after being passed by
state parliament.

The Democrats plan to oppose the laws if they receive federal government approval and
reach the Senate.

However, the laws' passage through the Senate is not yet assured because the federal
Labor Party has yet to decide whether or not they will support Queensland's laws.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today outraged Mr Robinson by telling business leaders
in Sydney the impasse over the state's native title regime was a threat to the reconciliation
process.

"The Democrats are saying they want the Liberals and Nationals to determine the fate
of indigenous Queenslanders," Mr Beattie said.

"These are the same Liberals and Nationals who are yet to say sorry, the same Liberals
and Nationals who recently denied there was a stolen generation.

"This will once again divide Australia and threaten the reconciliation process."

An angry Mr Robinson said Mr Beattie's comments were highly offensive to Aboriginal people.

"He's set the reconciliation process back 50 years," Mr Robinson told AAP.

Aboriginal groups are opposed to the native title laws because they do not include
a right to negotiate over the exploration permits issued to mining companies.

Mr Robinson said the proposed Queensland native title laws destroyed Aboriginal peoples'
right to self-determination.

"As far as I'm concerned it's a major breach of international laws," Mr Robinson told AAP.

"It erodes the rights of self-determination and the common law rights of the Indigenous
people of Queensland.

"I believe that somewhere down the track the Queensland government will be challenged
in the High Court of Australia."

Democrats native title spokesman John Woodley also condemned Mr Beattie for introducing
the reconciliation issue into the native title debate.

"Reconciliation is about people, not about governments who want to use Aboriginal people
as a football to kick around the field," he said.

AAP bja/jfs/pjs

KEYWORD: NATIVE QLD (CARRIED EARLIER)

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