CEMEX BURRUP ROCK ART FINE PATHETIC, CRIMINAL: GREENS
The decision to fine cement company Cemex $280,000 over its destruction of ancient Indigenous rock art on the Burrup Peninsula is a pathetic one, say the Greens.
Greens MLC Robin Chapple said his reaction to the destruction, which occurred when blasting and bulldozing at Nickol Bay Quarry extended into a recognised heritage zone, went "beyond outrage" and said the maximum penalties should have been applied.
Cemex’s negligence and obvious disregard for cultural heritage has resulted in the obliteration of ten thousand year-old art that is of incalculable significance to the traditional owners of the Burrup and to humanity at large," Mr. Chapple said.
Not only did Cemex allow this desecration to occur, it actively tried to deny its occurrence."
It is incredible that the maximum penalties were not imposed in this case – the value of the art was beyond calculation, but it is certainly worth more than the pathetic fine imposed today."
The directors of Cemex should have been facing the maximum $5 million penalty and possible jail time, as allowed under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act"
Mr Chapple said he was concerned that "the fine issued to Cemex is worse than insignificant; it is virtually an incitement for contractors to ignore heritage protection zones in the future."
Mr. Chapple also said the attitude of both the federal and State governments towards heritage protection in the Burrup and elsewhere, was partly to blame for the initial desecration of the rock art.
Both State and Commonwealth agencies were initially very lax in prosecuting this matter. I think this reflects a wider attitude in government that development always nixes cultural heritage."
The rock art on the Burrup is older than the Pyramids and is another Uluruin terms of cultural significance. In fact the entire peninsula meets the official criteria for World Heritage listing. We have just seen very clearly that neither governments nor a major regional contractor give a damn about one of the most precious heritage areas on the planet," Mr Chapple said.
These people would bulldoze the Pyramids if it turned a dollar, and Mr. Garrett would – reluctantly – fine them small change for their troubles."
