Energy Transition Summit: Premier, Indigenous leaders say First Nations can’t miss out on yet another boom

Indigenous leaders fear First Nations people will miss out on another wave of economic activity with the massive shift to cleaner energy, saying they are “not just in the scrum of stakeholders” and must be involved. The strong comments by Claypan Services principle consultant Kate George were backed up by Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation boss Michael Woodley at a panel discussion at the first WA Energy Transition Summit on Friday, and separately by Premier Roger Cook as he closed the event. To achieve emissions reduction targets, take full advantage of green energy opportunity and recalibrate relationships - with trust currently “very, very slim pickings right across the country for Aboriginal people, not just post the referendum” - Indigenous people had be “at the table”, Dr George said. “We’re talking about free prior and informed consent, and understanding what that means rather than seeing that just as an obstacle,” she said. “What 65,000 years of continuous culture means - the stewardship that goes with that ... we’re not in the scrum when it comes to stakeholders. “It has been said globally, that for Indigenous people particularly that unless we get this right, this could be the fourth wave of colonisation, and none of us want that to happen.” Her comments came after Mr Cook expressed concern about Federal Court challenges brought by traditional owners that threaten to delay the huge Woodside-led Scarborough and Santos’ Barossa gas projects. Approvals for seismic work at the $US12 billion Scarborough development off WA were binned last month after Raelene Cooper successfully argued she was not properly consulted. It raised questions over the required level, given Woodside said it had undertaken 82 “substantial engagements” for the project, including 32 meetings with traditional custodians. And this week, the court extended a partial injunction on underwater pipeline work at the $5.8 billion Barossa gas project in the Timor Sea ahead of a trial brought by Simon Munkara, who alleges the southern part of the pipeline threatens cultural heritage. Mr Cook was asked if he was worried that the court decisions would delay the epic projects - and if he would you like to see the Federal Government treat that as a priority for a potential legislative response. “I think we’re all concerned about the uncertainty that’s been created,” he replied. The Premier said he had spoken to federal Resources Minister Catherine King and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the issue, asking for clarity as soon as possible. Ms King told reporters she expected changes resulting from a Federal Government review of offshore consultation regulations may be made next year. “We’re looking at the uncertainty that some of these judgments have put into the wider sphere of consultation because there is a lack of clarity in some respects and some of that’s to do with there not being enough case law in this area,” the Minister said. “My objective is to make sure that any future work we do in this area will be subject to appropriate consultation, and it will be about getting clarity for absolutely everyone. “We need to have a robust approvals process that the wider community can have confidence in because that’s how we keep and maintain the social licence for projects that are of vital importance to our country but to our regional neighbours as well.” The Premier closed the summit by saying traditional owners had been largely passed by with previous booms including the gold rush and LNG sector expansion, but business practices had since improved. “So let’s not, as we enter into the green energy and renewable energy transition, take the opportunity to retrofit that engagement with traditional owners or native title holders as an afterthought,” he said. “Let’s make sure that the prosperity that will come from the energy transition is shared from day one.” Mr Woodley made a similar remark. “If we don’t engage, we might miss this opportunity as well.”