Mr John Bowler
Member for Eyre
PO Box 2630
BOULDER WA 6432
BY E-MAIL and POST
Dear Mr Bowler
INQUIRY INTO GREENFIELDS EXPLORATION in WA
Thank you for your letter of 20 November 2002.
With reference to my previous and on-going work with the mining industry, I wish to clarify three points.
- I support employment prospects for Indigenous people in the mining sector.
- I believe that mineral exploration and the human rights of Indigenous interests can co-exist.
- I do not regard industry as a threat to Indigenous Australians.
Nothing in my submissions or correspondence to you is in conflict with these facts.
As noted in my earlier submissions and correspondence, the majority of Commission's work is available on our website. [1] My submissions to the inquiry are posted on this website and I would also like to make available on the website, copies of all correspondence passing between us (including this letter). If you do not wish this to occur, I would be grateful if one of your staff, within the next fortnight, contacted John Southalan to discuss this matter. John is the Commission's Senior Policy Officer, Native Title. John's direct telephone number is (02) 9284 9728, or you can use e-mail to <johnsouthalan@humanrights.gov.au>.
Yours sincerely
Dr William Jonas
AM
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.
Last updated 30 January 2003.
