First Nations activists and supporters protested outside Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek鈥檚 office on July 10, calling on her to protect Binybara (Lee聽Point), near Darwin, from being destroyed by Defence Housing Australia (DHA).
鈥淲hen Aboriginal land is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!鈥 they chanted at a snap rally of more than 50 people. It was organised by Uprising of the People (UP) on behalf of聽the Batcho Family from the Dangalaba Clan, Kulumbirigin Tribe of the broader Larrakia nation, in the Northern Territory.
The聽Larrakia people are fighting to protect Binybara, a significant sacred site for the Dangalaba clan, which the federal government wants to disrupt to build housing聽for defence personnel.
A loader was recorded working on site on the morning of July 7, despite a stop-work order issued to DHA the night before.
Traditional Owners had made an emergency application to Plibersek for an immediate halt to the desecration of Aboriginal cultural heritage.
鈥淲e have 10 days to bring the Australian people together, to apply pressure on our government to save Binybara,聽Lee聽Point,鈥 Traditional Owners told the rally. A representative read out an open letter, provided by Dangalaba clan elders, calling for a halt to the Binybara project.
A delegation attempted to enter Plibersek鈥檚 office but the door was locked, prompting protesters to call out 鈥淪hame! Shame!鈥
The rally was chaired by First Nations student and climate activist Ethan Lyons.聽Aboriginal activists, University of Sydney student groups, a Palestinian student representative and the Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition showed solidarity.
There has been long-running campaign in Garramilla/Darwin against the Binybara housing development. Protesters blockaded the site and locked on to machinery when a dirt road was made at its聽entrance. Eleven protesters were arrested on聽July聽6, including Larrakia woman Milima May, who was demonstrating on her grandfather鈥檚 country.
Plibersek approved the development two weeks ago, despite acknowledging it would impact the endangered gouldian finch.聽
鈥淭his is about Minister Plibersek speaking to Larrakia people, and that鈥檚 never happened,鈥 told the ABC on July聽8.
Plibersek had agreed work would stop聽until July 17, as she聽considers the July聽6 application. Speakers said the protests would escalate if she refuses to halt the destruction.