12th December 1997
Dear xxxxxx,
I am deeply concerned about the amount of misinformation circulating regarding the fact of the land at the corner of Klingner and Boardman Roads, Kippa Ring. I would like to take this matter to clarify the matter.
The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, the Senator the Hon John Herron MP has assured me that the only involvement the Federal Government has had was to allow the relevant parties, that is the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC), Dellmere Pty Ltd, Redcliffe City Council (RCC) and the Roman Catholic Church, to come together to discuss the situation, by placing an injunction of up to 30 days ONLY on the property. This was done under Section 9 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984. The Minister has written to me on the matter and I enclose a copy of that correspondence.
As background I would like to add that the ILC was established during the Keating Government and came into effect on 1 June 1995. It is an independent statutory authority which was established to assist Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders to acquire and to manage land to provide cultural, social, economic or environmental benefits for themselves and for future generations. It came about as part of the Keating Government’s attempt to deal with Native Title. Should you wish for information on the ILC, their annual report may be obtained by phoning (07) 3270 3750.
The Federal Government has no power to overrule the Redcliffe City Council’s decision to retain the current zoning and the land cannot be developed under the conditions of contract. (See last para of attachment).
I hope I have been able to clear up some of your concerns.
Meanwhile I would like to wish you and your family the very best for the festive season and look forward to working with you in the New Year.
Yours sincerely.
Teresa Gambaro MP
Federal Member for Petrie.