EXCLUSIVE FARMERS ATTACK CHURCHES
Extract from report by Fiona Kennedy and Georgina Windsor
in The Australian (Tuesday 25 March):
Farmers blast church lefties for rural neglect
The National Farmers Federation escalated a socially
divisive debate over the Wik decision yesterday by
accusing "urban left-wing" churches of neglecting
rural Australia.
The president of the federation, Mr Donald
McGauchie, rebutted the ecumenical accusations of
racism, while maintaining pressure on the Federal
Government to wipe out native title on pastoral
leases.
"The urban left-wing church representatives don't
care much for farming," Mr McGauchie said in
response to a National Council of Churches claim
that an NFF television advertisement about the Wik
decision was racist.
...
But the churches were defiant in their support of
native title yesterday, joining a broad front of
organisations calling on the Government not to
undermine or contravene the Racial Discrimination
Act.
The protest against discrimination, by 27 groups,
coincided with a United Graziers Association meeting
on the Wik ruling in Mitchell, Queensland, attended
by Mr McGauchie.
He told about 270 graziers that the NFF had never
resiled from its political campaign for the
extinguishment of native title on pastoral leases.
...
Mr McGauchie told the meeting the NFF wanted
"legislation for exclusive occupation, meaning
extinguishment of native title on pastoral leases."
Discussion on Sunday with the Prime Minister, Mr
Howard, were "moving in the right direction" but had
"some way to go."
But the churches and their allies warned in a
statement that "extinguishment or impairment" of
native title rights would not only be a blow to
indigenous rights and reconciliation but also
"undermine the principle of racial non-
discrimination and tolerance which is essential to
the future stability and development of the whole
community."
(Extract ends).