Mining divides Aboriginal community

MINING has divided the North Stradbroke Island Aboriginal community.

Some families have enjoyed the benefits of being employed at the mines and own their homes and have educated their children.

Other families live in rental accommodation, with many members surviving in low-paid jobs or on unemployment benefits.

Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders Council president 80-year-old Aunty Margaret Iselin said her family had benefited from mining but some members would suffer when it ceased.

She said Environment Minister Kate Jones' plans to turn half of the island into national park by year's end without consulting Aboriginal elders were "irresponsible".

Aunty Margaret said the mines had given traineeships and jobs to some young Aborigines who had been "in trouble with police" or were on parole.

"There is no way that national parks will be able to employ the same number of people as the mining industry," Aunty Margaret said.

"There are about 50 of our families that rely on mining for a living who will have to move off the island for work in order to pay for their mortgages.

"It will take a while for tourism to get off the ground when mining ceases and it will be interesting to see what sort of traineeships will be available with national parks.

"There are already too many Aboriginal people on the island relying on the dole," Aunty Margaret said.

The Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders Council is made up of 82 members, all aged over 50, who come from both Stradbroke and Moreton islands.

Aboriginal activist and native title claimant Dale Ruska said mining had not benefited Aborigines on the island and had boosted the high school drop out rate.

"Mining has only advantaged a few families on the island, probably about 20 at the most are dependent on it today, and most Aboriginal families here are in rental accommodation," Mr Ruska said.

"If mining were such a success for the Aboriginal community, our essential services, such as the Yulu Burri Ba Medical Centre and the Moopi Moopi Pa Aged Care Facility, would not still rely on state and federal grants to stay open," Mr Ruska said.

Authors: mining - Yahoo! News Search Results