NAGANA YARRBAYN W&J CULTURAL CUSTODIANS

MEDIA STATEMENT

Thursday 21 November 2024

Nagana Yarrbayn Wangan & Jagalingou Cultural Custodians file Australian Human Rights Commission complaint against Adani Bravus

Adani to be held to account for ‘years of discrimination and vilification’

The Nagana Yarrbayn Wangan & Jagalingou Cultural Custodians yesterday filed a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission alleging serious racial discrimination by Adani Bravus. The complaint is filed with reference to Section 9 and Section 18c of the Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act 1975.

Nagana Yarrbayn Senior Cultural Custodian, Adrian Burragubba said: “We have endured years of discrimination and vilification from Adani, and we’re not putting up with this anymore. Adani has been on notice about their conduct since our lawyers sent a concerns notice last year, and they refused to take action. Legal recourse is the only answer.”

The complaint is a representative action filed by Mr Burragubba on behalf of himself and his family and clan, who are the Nagana Yarrbayn cultural custodians. The complaint details the way Adani sought to “verbally and physically obstruct and prevent” Mr Burragubba and others from accessing the Doongmabulla Springs “in order to perform cultural rites and share cultural knowledge”.

The complaint also highlights the way “a decade long pattern of conduct” by Adani against Mr Burragubba, his family and clan, has culminated in a smear campaign through Adani’s media statements and social media posts, through the commentary that it publishes, through the use of media outlets, and by allowing unfettered commentary to remain on and be added to its social media platforms.

Mr Burragubba said: “We will hold Adani to account. There is no getting away with promoting vilification and discrimination anymore. The harm they cause is not just to our Country and the Doongmabulla Springs, but to our people. We are taking Adani to the Human Rights Commission to address the racist actions and commentary against me and our group, and for all Aboriginal people that are offended and intimidated whenever this kind of discrimination takes place.”

Mr Burraugbba has engaged an experienced legal team for his matter including lawyers, barristers and a senior counsel. They say the form of discrimination and aspects of Bravus’ conduct on Facebook bears similarities to the Dylan Voller case and the recent case involving Pauline Hanson.

Mr Burragubba said: “Adani has not changed their conduct despite these cases and is at serious risk of being found out for racial discrimination. As First Nations people we have been denied our rights all our lives. We are used to being subjected to oppression and discrimination. But now we have the guts to take this further and challenge the core of racism in this country.

“This company thinks it can impair our human rights, destroy our lands and waters and smash our culture, and then denigrate us in the eyes of the world. And they are barracked on by people on their social media channels without any moderation. Well, we intend to change the racism and resentment directed at Aboriginal people who stand up for their rights”, he said.

The complaint seeks compensation, an apology, the removal of offending social media, a retraction of media statements, and anti-racism and cultural awareness training for Adani’s directors, managers and employees.

Mr Burragubba concluded: “It’s unlawful to allow and encourage others to commit serious vilification, promote hate crimes and make threats of violence. It has been a decade of dishonest, deceptive and misleading conduct against us by Adani, designed to undermine our cultural authority and our right to speak for Country, and our standing as First Nations people. It’s time for that to stop and for Adani to admit it’s wrong.”

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Available for comment:

Adrian Burragubba – Senior W&J Cultural Custodian and Nagana Yarrbayn spokesperson

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For more information, a copy of the complaint, or to arrange an interview, contact Anthony Esposito,
Nagana Yarrbayn adviser, on (m) 0418 152 743 or (e) info@wanganjagalingou.com.au