The latest impasse between Kimberley Traditional Owners and Premier Colin Barnett over the siting of an LNG hub in the Kimberley highlights the State Government's poor handling of the decision-making process, the Australian Greens say.

"We are now seeing Premier Colin Barnett preparing to lay the blame for a failure to reach an agreement squarely on the shoulders of Traditional Owners, when in reality he is to blame for skewing the process," Greens Spokesperson on Indigenous Issues, Senator Rachel Siewert said.

The Australian Greens today called for caution in rolling out the NT Intervention to areas such as the Kimberley, instead pushing for continued funding with a more community based focus.

"While we definitely need to address the long term underinvestment in Indigenous communities, what is needed is an evidence based approach that aims to build on what already works," said Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert.

The Australian Greens say WA Premier Colin Barnett is tearing up years of consultation by threatening to compulsorily acquire land in the Kimberley for the gas industry.

"Threatening Aboriginal communities with compulsory acquisition of their land is a backward, coercive and profoundly unhelpful approach for the new Premier to take. There is no need for Barnett's heavy handed attack on the integrity of the discussions that have been under way for some time," said Senator Scott Ludlam.

The Greens today cautiously welcomed the announcement by Environment Minister, Peter Garrett of a strategic assessment of the Kimberley, but stressed that a comprehensive long-term planning approach was needed.

"The Greens have been calling for a regional development strategy for the Kimberley for some time," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"It is crucial that the planning process is comprehensive – that it considers all types of industrial development - not just gas projects. "

The Government is actively facilitating the destruction of the Burrup's unique rock art with today's approval to Woodside's Pluto gas development.

"This is the third major environmental decision by the Howard Government in the past few days, first with the Gunns Pulp Mill, then Barrow Island. Now they seem determined to steamroll over the Burrup peninsula," said Australian Greens spokesperson for the Environment Rachel Siewert.

Senator Rachel Siewert, today called on the Government to ensure that the priceless cultural heritage of the Burrup peninsula was protected.

"We understand the WA EPA has given the go ahead for preparatory work on the Pluto Area B site on the Burrup, and that this work could start at anytime. We are very concerned that this may affect the cultural values of the area" said Senator Siewert.

On the occasion of Woodside’s gas deals with China, the Greens have
added their support to the Wong-Goo-Tt-Oo Native Title Group’s
application for a Ministerial Declaration under Sections 9 and 10 of
the Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage
Protection Act over the Pluto Site ‘B’ lease on the Burrup Peninsula.

“The situation should never have come to this,” Greens Senate candidate Scott Ludlam said.