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burrup rock art

save the burrup peninsular rock art protest - paris 2007 photos courtesy FARA

9 April 2007 - The GetUP team wrote

Dear friends,

Late last year, thousands of GetUp members rallied to save the oldest and largest collection of art on the planet - the Burrup rock carvings in Western Australia. It's a little-known Indigenous site that includes one of the earliest identified images of a human face and the now-extinct Tasmanian Tiger. We've nearly succeeded in protecting it once and for all.

But behind the scenes, government power brokers and industry lobbyists are clamouring. Oil and gas giant Woodside say they support heritage listing - just so long as they can keep extracting liquefied natural gas from offshore. They've got a plan for a multi-billion dollar expansion at Burrup, even though suitable sites for long-term economic development exist a short distance down the coast.

We know decision-makers want to do the right thing, but they need our support. So we're going to the people with the power to make the ultimate difference, from the WA State Premier to the Federal Environment Minister, and Woodside's much-anticipated AGM next week. Whether or not you've spoken out before to save the Burrup, you can help tip the balance now by signing the petition below.

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/RespectTheRockArt

You've already done a stunning job of cracking this debate wide open, but time is running out. Woodside have their bulldozers and diamond cutters out in the field, and our political leaders are under serious pressure to buckle.

Fortunately, supporters have risen above party politics. Former Liberal and Labor WA Premiers both say we should save every remaining carving on the islands, and MPs and senators from all sides of politics will be in WA next week to speak out. Indigenous custodians have also made clear their firm opposition to further development. What each of these voices needs now is public support to stay strong, so they can fight to protect something that once destroyed, can never be replaced.

Here's what we want: the WA Government must come clean and re-negotiate the lease with Woodside to one of the alternative sites. The Federal Environment Minister must heritage-list the entire site to protect all remaining carvings. And Woodside's board needs to listen to their own shareholders, many of whom are unhappy about the growing local and international criticism. That's why a GetUp representative will be inside Woodside's AGM next Thursday to share your messages and concerns.

For once, we have an opportunity to act with foresight instead of regret. Please share this important campaign with friends right now (there's a note you can use below). Let's look after our country's long-term economic interests, while respecting and protecting the amazing treasures the first Australians have given this country.

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/RespectTheRockArt

Thanks for taking action,

The GetUp team

PS: An extraordinary 20,000 people have signed the Dear friends,

Late last year, thousands of GetUp members rallied to save the oldest and largest collection of art on the planet - the Burrup rock carvings in Western Australia. It's a little-known Indigenous site that includes one of the earliest identified images of a human face and the now-extinct Tasmanian Tiger. We've nearly succeeded in protecting it once and for all.

But behind the scenes, government power brokers and industry lobbyists are clamouring. Oil and gas giant Woodside say they support heritage listing - just so long as they can keep extracting liquefied natural gas from offshore. They've got a plan for a multi-billion dollar expansion at Burrup, even though suitable sites for long-term economic development exist a short distance down the coast.

We know decision-makers want to do the right thing, but they need our support. So we're going to the people with the power to make the ultimate difference, from the WA State Premier to the Federal Environment Minister, and Woodside's much-anticipated AGM next week. Whether or not you've spoken out before to save the Burrup, you can help tip the balance now by signing the petition below.

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/RespectTheRockArt

You've already done a stunning job of cracking this debate wide open, but time is running out. Woodside have their bulldozers and diamond cutters out in the field, and our political leaders are under serious pressure to buckle.

Fortunately, supporters have risen above party politics. Former Liberal and Labor WA Premiers both say we should save every remaining carving on the islands, and MPs and senators from all sides of politics will be in WA next week to speak out. Indigenous custodians have also made clear their firm opposition to further development. What each of these voices needs now is public support to stay strong, so they can fight to protect something that once destroyed, can never be replaced.

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/RespectTheRockArt

Here's what we want: the WA Government must come clean and re-negotiate the lease with Woodside to one of the alternative sites. The Federal Environment Minister must heritage-list the entire site to protect all remaining carvings. And Woodside's board needs to listen to their own shareholders, many of whom are unhappy about the growing local and international criticism. That's why a GetUp representative will be inside Woodside's AGM next Thursday to share your messages and concerns.

For once, we have an opportunity to act with foresight instead of regret. Please share this important campaign with friends right now (there's a note you can use below). Let's look after our country's long-term economic interests, while respecting and protecting the amazing treasures the first Australians have given this country.

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/RespectTheRockArt

Thanks for taking action,

The GetUp team

PS: An extraordinary 20,000 people have signed the Electoral petition. Let's get it to 25,000 by Monday's deadline!

Let's get it to 25,000 by Monday's deadline!

Source: GetUp

Further information: burrup issues page - includes news index and external links

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