PM shuns native title responsibility, Crook

The Nationals WA Federal Member for O’Connor, Tony Crook MP has again called on the Prime Minister to honour native title obligations to the States.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard failed to answer a question put to her by Mr Crook concerning native title compensation during Parliamentary Question Time earlier this week.

In Parliament yesterday, Mr Crook offered the Prime Minister another opportunity to respond.

“This issue is very important to our indigenous peoples, our nation and our States,” Mr Crook said.

“It is of particular financial relevance to a State like Western Australia, which is heavily exposed to native title claims.

“I call on the Prime Minister and the Labor Government to address my question and to address this issue in the House.”

Mr Crook said he was concerned that the Prime Minister was attempting to shun her responsibility to the States.

“It appears the Prime Minister is seeking to rely on a legal technicality to try and escape a long-standing, bipartisan agreement.”

Mr Crook said native title compensation was set to become a major issue in WA.

“As the Treasurer of WA has said, this is a billion dollar plus issue.

“Given the exposure of WA to native title claims, this could be a huge blow to WA’s budget, which has already been under siege by the Mining Tax, the Carbon Tax and the unfair distribution of GST.”

Native Title Compensation Timeline

January 6:
The Prime Minister tells The Australian that the Federal Government is under no obligation to contribute to the cost of native title settlements.

February 13:
2.26pm: Mr Crook asks the Prime Minister to clarify the Federal Government’s position on native title compensation.
2.26pm: The Prime Minister dismisses the question, telling the Parliament the issue has never been raised with her by WA Premier Colin Barnett.
3.49pm: Mr Crook tells Parliament the Prime Minister received correspondence from the WA Premier on native title compensation in April 2011.
7.58pm: The Prime Minister makes a personal statement to Parliament, confirming the correspondence from the WA Premier.

February 16:
Mr Crook calls on the Prime Minister to answer his original question and clarify the Federal Government’s position on native title compensation.