Juukan Gorge

Beyond Juukan Gorge: how First Nations people are taking charge of clean energy projects on their land

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Zero, Yinjibarndi language, Ammonia, Research, Native Title Act 1993, Association, Biodiversity, Yindjibarndi people, Time, Aborigine, Western Green Energy Hub, Kimberley Land Council, Country, Legislation, Conversation, News, Carbon, Rights, Wind, Commonwealth, Lawyer, First Nations, Rio Tinto, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Miner, Environment, Partnership, Farmer, Review, Indigenous peoples, Rage, Negotiation, UN, ACEN, The Conversation, First, Industry, Renewable energy, Mining, Property management, Juukan Gorge

Many of the big wind and solar farms planned to help Australia achieve net zero emissions by 2050 will be built on the lands and waters of First Nations peoples.

Key Points: 
  • Many of the big wind and solar farms planned to help Australia achieve net zero emissions by 2050 will be built on the lands and waters of First Nations peoples.
  • More than half of the projects that will extract critical minerals to drive the global clean energy transition overlap with Indigenous-held lands.
  • Australia’s Pilbara and Kimberley regions have high rates of Indigenous land tenure, while hosting some of world’s best co-located solar and wind energy resources.

The long but hopeful journey back from Juukan Gorge

  • First, the furore and subsequent parliamentary inquiry following the Juukan Gorge incident forced the resignation of Rio Tinto boss Jean-Sebastien Jacques.
  • Companies were put on notice that they can no longer run roughshod over First Nations communities.
  • Third, there is a question whether the Native Title Act allows large-scale clean energy developments to go ahead without native title holders’ permission.
  • Because these agreements are voluntary, native title holders can refuse to allow large wind and solar farms on their Country.

Promising partnerships on the road to net zero

  • Many significant proposed projects announced in the last few years show huge promise in terms of First Nations ownership and control.
  • Still, much more needs to happen to provide Indigenous communities with proper consent and control.
  • And much needed reforms to cultural heritage laws in WA were scrapped following a backlash from farmers.

Why free, prior and informed consent is crucial

  • So long as governments can compulsorily acquire native title to expedite a renewable energy project and miners are allowed to mine critical minerals (or any mineral) without native title holders’ consent, the net zero transition will transgress this internationally recognised right.
  • Communities must decide the forms participation takes – full or part ownership, leasing and so on – after they have properly assessed their options.
  • Rapid electrification through wind and solar developments cannot come at the expense of land clearing and loss of biodiversity.


Ganur Maynard was formerly a member of the steering committee of the First Nations Clean Energy Network. Brad Riley, Janet Hunt, and Lily O'Neill do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

How might the First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum affect Australia's international reputation?

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Gaps, Pressure, Employment, International, Education, BBC, Communist party, Indigenous Voice to Parliament, DFAT, Diplomacy, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Hoxhaism, Policy, Aborigine, UN General Assembly Resolution 60/147, Foreign Affairs, Juukan Gorge, Research, History, Life expectancy, Imprisonment, Parliament, Human voice, Government, Real-time, Global Times, Death, Financial Times, UN, Time, First Nations, Colonialism, Knowledge, Health, Indigenous peoples, News, Constitution, Social media, Film industry, Internet service provider, Whaling, Agriculture, Pacific Ocean, Chinese, Meltwater, Labour

In late September, American rap legend MC Hammer made a spectacular intervention into Australia’s upcoming referendum to establish a Voice to Parliament for First Nations people.

Key Points: 
  • In late September, American rap legend MC Hammer made a spectacular intervention into Australia’s upcoming referendum to establish a Voice to Parliament for First Nations people.
  • In a tweet, he urged Australians to “repair the breach”.
  • Hammer’s tweet garnered some 1.1 million views, 1,300 retweets and 5,700 likes.

International attention on the vote

    • On October 14, Australians will vote whether to amend the Constitution to establish a new advisory body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people called the Voice to Parliament.
    • The new body would provide advice and make representations to parliament and the government on any issues relating to First Nations people.
    • International attention on the Voice for Parliament referendum peaked on August 30 when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the voting date.

Which countries are the most interested?

    • New Zealand is also following the debate, with more than 2,000 mentions, as well as politicians in the Pacific.
    • And while there are public reports on Australian attitudes to other countries, there is much less research on how people in other countries think about Australians.
    • The lack of research on Australia’s reputation in other countries will make it difficult to assess the impact of the Voice result.
    • What does seem likely, however, is that a “no” result will be weaponised by other countries against Australia.

Australia’s foreign policy

    • The referendum result could also affect Australia’s ability to employ a foreign policy approach that seeks to “elevate” Indigenous people and issues.
    • In 2021, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade released an Indigenous Diplomacy Agenda committed to reconciliation in Australia and supporting Indigenous rights globally.
    • She argued a foreign service that properly represents the diversity of Australia has “a genuine competitive advantage”.
    • As a result, a “yes” vote could provide Australian diplomats with “the momentum” to embed a First Nations foreign policy into their practice.

Beyond the PwC scandal, there’s a growing case for a royal commission into Australia’s ruthless corporate greed

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Ziggy Switkowski, Optus, Boston Consulting Group, Review, National, Harvey Norman, Senate, Distrust, EY, PwC, Culture, Australian Federal Police Association, Juukan Gorge, Telstra, Australian Securities Exchange, McKinsey & Company, Consultant, Government, Medibank, TPMS, Treasury, National Anti-Corruption Commission, Ethics, Growth, Commonwealth, KPMG, Labour, News, Accounting, Financial adviser, Management, Private investigator, Deloitte, COVID

‘Untouchables’ and ‘troublesome practice matters’

Key Points: 
  • ‘Untouchables’ and ‘troublesome practice matters’
    Switkowski found PwC Australia’s culture and governance practices were so weak they led to “integrity failures”.
  • This makes it reasonable to ask whether a culture of ruthless profiteering has infiltrated Australian corporate cultures across the board.
  • After the consultants have been dealt with, there is a case for royal commission into whether Australia’s entire corporate sector is meeting its responsibilities.
  • Read more: My 3-point plan to untangle the public service from consultants such as PwC

Word from The Hill: Voice proponents and opponents draw succour from heritage backdown; ALP toughens Palestine policy to placate party; more questions follow Lehrmann inquiry

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
ACT, Government, Human voice, Legislation, Juukan Gorge, First Australians, News, Politics, Rio Tinto, Mining

In this podcast Michelle and politics + society editor Amanda Dunn discuss the announcement from Western Australian Premier Roger Cook that a controversial cultural heritage law would be overturned, with the former legislation reinstated with amendments.

Key Points: 
  • In this podcast Michelle and politics + society editor Amanda Dunn discuss the announcement from Western Australian Premier Roger Cook that a controversial cultural heritage law would be overturned, with the former legislation reinstated with amendments.
  • The law was put in place after mining giant Rio Tinto blew up the Juukan Gorge, a sacred place for First Australians.
  • They also canvass the government’s continuing problems in the Voice campaign, and the fallout from the inquiry into the handling of the Bruce Lehrmann case.
  • In a bizarre twist, the former judge who did the investigation is now in trouble with the ACT government, who appointed him.

WA Premier Roger Cook says 'sorry' as he dumps Aboriginal cultural heritage law

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Coalition, Human voice, The Voice, Government, Farmer, Suggestion, Confusion, Pressure, Aborigine, Federation, Rio, Juukan Gorge, News, Constitution, WA, Legislation, Forestry

The Western Australian government, announcing it is backing down on its controversial law to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage, has apologised to the people of the state for getting it “wrong”.

Key Points: 
  • The Western Australian government, announcing it is backing down on its controversial law to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage, has apologised to the people of the state for getting it “wrong”.
  • Premier Roger Cook on Tuesday confirmed the retreat, saying the government would now restore the state’s 1972 law, with amendments.
  • He told the Coalition parties meeting the WA law was well intended but had unintended consequences.
  • Cook rejected suggestion he had been under pressure from the federal government to drop the new law in order to remove a referendum impediment.

Rio Tinto publishes independent report on cultural heritage management performance

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Publishing, Finance, Accounting, Communications, Professional Services, Cultural heritage management, Tinto, Cultural heritage, Juukan Gorge, Rio Tinto, ERM, Mining, Tourism

Rio Tinto today published an independent report based on a global audit of its Cultural Heritage Management compliance and performance – one of a number of steps it is taking to continue to find better ways to manage and protect heritage.

Key Points: 
  • Rio Tinto today published an independent report based on a global audit of its Cultural Heritage Management compliance and performance – one of a number of steps it is taking to continue to find better ways to manage and protect heritage.
  • The audit identified areas where Rio Tinto is achieving leading cultural heritage practices but also identified other practices where the company needs to improve its performance.
  • The report was produced by ERM, a global sustainability consultancy, following an audit of 37 Rio Tinto assets.
  • Rio Tinto Chief Executive, Australia, Kellie Parker said “We have been working to strengthen and improve our approach to cultural heritage and community relations.

Rio Tinto delivers underlying EBITDA of $26.3 billion and total dividends of 492 US cents per share

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Professional Services, Natural Resources, Mining, Minerals, Finance, Lithium, EBITDA, Safety, Juukan Gorge, Climate change, Female, Trust, Workplace, Hugo, Yinjibarndi language, Policy, ESG, JV, TRQ, Heart, Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation, SPS, James Wedgwood Drawbell, Acquisition, Turquoise Hill Resources, AGR, International Financial Reporting Standards, Indigenous peoples, APM, Environment, PKKP, Panel, Oyu Tolgoi mine, Agreement, Fatality, Rio Tinto, Kurrama people, International, Movement, Paraburdoo, Western Australia, Injury, Person, Rhodes, Heads of Agreement (1981), Rincon, CSP, Cryptocurrency, Renewable energy, Iron ore

Free cash flow1 of $9.0 billion included capital expenditure of $6.8 billion, which decreased 9% as we commissioned our current programme of Pilbara replacement projects, notably Gudai-Darri.

Key Points: 
  • Free cash flow1 of $9.0 billion included capital expenditure of $6.8 billion, which decreased 9% as we commissioned our current programme of Pilbara replacement projects, notably Gudai-Darri.
  • $26.3 billion underlying EBITDA1 was 30% below 2021, with an underlying EBITDA margin1 of 45%.
  • $13.3 billion underlying earnings1 (underlying EPS1 of 819.6 US cents) were 38% below 2021.
  • $8.0 billion full-year dividend, equivalent to 492 US cents per share.

PKKP and Rio Tinto to create Juukan Gorge Legacy Foundation

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, November 27, 2022
Natural Resources, Coal, Energy, Steel, Philanthropy, Mining, Minerals, Manufacturing, Foundation, Rio, Rio Tinto, Partnership, Kurrama people, Native title in Australia, Land council, Rehabilitation, Corporation, PKKP, Iron ore, Country, Juukan Gorge

The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Aboriginal Corporation and Rio Tinto have agreed to create the Juukan Gorge Legacy Foundation after signing a remedy agreement regarding the tragic destruction of two ancient rock shelters at Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara region of Western Australia in 2020.

Key Points: 
  • The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Aboriginal Corporation and Rio Tinto have agreed to create the Juukan Gorge Legacy Foundation after signing a remedy agreement regarding the tragic destruction of two ancient rock shelters at Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara region of Western Australia in 2020.
  • Under the agreement, Rio Tinto will provide financial support to the foundation to progress major cultural and social projects including a new keeping place for storage of important cultural materials.
  • In addition to supporting the creation of the Juukan Gorge Legacy Foundation, remedy discussions have centred on agreeing a new approach to co-management of Country as well as the ongoing rehabilitation of the rock shelters and their surrounds at Juukan Gorge.
  • Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said, We fell far short of our values as a company and breached the trust placed in us by the PKKP people by allowing the destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters.

Rio Tinto provides update on Communities and Social Performance commitments

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Mining, Minerals, Natural Resources, Native title in Australia, Tradition, Employment, Rio Tinto, Juukan Gorge, Community, Tinto, Indigenous peoples, CSP, Leadership, Management, Iron ore, Indigenous

As part of efforts to increase transparency in its approach to cultural heritage protection, Rio Tinto established the Communities and Social Performance report in September 2021, engaging employees, Traditional Owners and other stakeholders to improve the business CSP practice and outcomes.

Key Points: 
  • As part of efforts to increase transparency in its approach to cultural heritage protection, Rio Tinto established the Communities and Social Performance report in September 2021, engaging employees, Traditional Owners and other stakeholders to improve the business CSP practice and outcomes.
  • Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said We thank those Traditional Owners who generously shared their constructive feedback and perspectives for this report.
  • This report provides an update on:
    Rio Tintos progress against its commitments and internal workplans, external obligations and recommendations, including rebuilding relationships with Traditional Owners.
  • The views of the Traditional Owners who work with Rio Tinto in the Pilbara on how successfully these commitments are being met.

Rio Tinto welcomes moves to strengthen cultural heritage protection

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Mining, Minerals, Natural Resources, Rio Tinto, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, First Nations, Australian Government, Aborigine, Native title in Australia, Commonwealth, Tinto, Tourism, Iron ore, Inawongga, Juukan Gorge

Rio Tinto welcomes the release today of a joint Commonwealth Government and First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance Discussion Paper designed to strengthen state and federal cultural heritage protection laws.

Key Points: 
  • Rio Tinto welcomes the release today of a joint Commonwealth Government and First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance Discussion Paper designed to strengthen state and federal cultural heritage protection laws.
  • These reforms must ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are placed at the centre of decision-making on matters relating to protection of their cultural heritage.
  • Rio Tinto Chief Executive, Australia Kellie Parker said We have heard the call for Rio Tinto to play a greater role in the strengthening of state and Commonwealth cultural heritage protection laws.
  • We firmly believe a co-design process with Traditional Owners will strengthen cultural heritage management and protection to ensure it is valued and celebrated for its intrinsic worth.