Mansell warns against any threats to Aboriginal delegates campaigning against mining on West Coast

Aborigines will descend in large numbers on the Nelson River mine site to protect any Aboriginal delegates from threats to their safety, Michael Mansell warned today.

Mr Mansell said, “The State and Federal governments have failed to protect the Aboriginal cultural area at Nelson River from destruction by mining. Our delegates are representing Aboriginal disgust at the treatment of our history by attending the mine site. As such, they have the full support and protection of the Aboriginal community.

In recent days we have heard veiled threats against protesters at the mine site.

Our representatives already tell us of how contractors deliberately drive their vehicles fast when they get close to the protestors in an attempt to intimidate.

We also note the very public support for the mine by Circular Head Mayor, Darryl Quilliam.

We are concerned that some staements by Mayor Quilliam will be wrongly taken by rednecks on the West Coast as a green light to further intimidate or even threaten protesters, including Aboriginals.

We keep in our minds knowledge that white rednecks murdered, kidnapped or drove to their deaths close to 2,000 Aborigines in the early 1800’s. Back then the activities of whites was lawless with a devastating consequence for Aboriginal well-being. We will not stand idly by and watch that happen again, even if it is on a smaller scale.

We warn that a head of hair of any Aboriginal harmed by rednecks on the West Coast will result in an Aboriginal posse to protect our people.”

• Zoe Kean, Devils Advocates: The Funeral the Tarkine Should Never Have to Have “The commencement of mining at Nelson Bay River holds great significance, and sets a worrying precedent for further mining the area.” “Many Tasmanians feel connected to their environment and will continue to campaign to make sure the Tarkine lives on for generations beyond they own.”

• Zoe Kean, Devils Advocates: The Funeral the Tarkine Should Never Have to Have “The Tarkine is the last refuge for the Tasmanian devil, being a place free of the facial tumour disease (TDFD). The construction of new mines will disrupt devil habitat, whilst new roads will act as highways for disease,” she says. “The devil is a Tassie icon, and once lost, lost forever.” “The commencement of mining at Nelson Bay River holds great significance, and sets a worrying precedent for further mining the area.”

• Scott Jordan: Tarkine: 7 vehicles for 12 staff? Save the Tarkine have expressed disbelief at the vehicle exemptions granted to the works at the Shree Minerals Nelson Bay River proposed mine. Documents released to Save the Tarkine have shown that the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities have granted exemptions from the permit conditions requiring the company provide bus transport to the site to protect the last disease free populations of Tasmanian devil. A total of seven commuter vehicles have been exempted for just twelve staff (seven four wheel drive vehicles and two trucks).