Three Australian Greens Senators are visiting Broome and the Kimberley this week to host a community forum and discuss alternatives to the threat of industrialisation, which continues to loom over the region.

WA Greens Senators Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam have been joined by Greens environment spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters for the visit, which will include a public forum, meetings with community members and a flyover visit of shale gas wells, a new threat to the local environment.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam is proud to stand with Traditional Owners to protect the world's largest pre-Ice Age rock art precinct in the Pilbara, 1550 km north of Perth.

"The Burrup Peninsula is a place of unparalleled artistic, cultural, religious and historical significance, as well as a place of magnificent natural beauty," said Senator Ludlam.

"The Greens have long campaigned for its protection, mostly recently through the Too Precious To Lose campaign.

Colin Barnett's bitter obsession with James Price Point must end, the WA Greens said today.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said the State Government's plan to acquire the land despite huge local opposition to its industrialisation and Woodside's withdrawal was "vindictive and reckless".

"Premier Barnett, please - it's over. This is a pristine part of the Kimberley's coast; it was never appropriate for industrialisation and it never will be. The Premier is now standing in the way of progress. It's time to move on," said Senator Ludlam.

Reports that Woodside is shelving its planned Browse gas project at James Price Point could signal a big win for the Kimberley and the environment alike, the Greens said today.

"These are very encouraging reports and it is important that Woodside and the WA Government announce the decision, if it has been made," Senator Rachel Siewert said.

Question No. 692

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, in writing, on 15 June 2011:
In regard to an explosive event conducted by Holcim Australia at their quarry on the Burrup Peninsula on the afternoon of 1 April 2011:

Senator LUDLAM (Western Australia) (14:47): My question is to Senator Conroy representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. It is in regard to a decision by Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett to forcibly remove locals from a road blockade at James Price Point in the Kimberley, which has led to the arrest of at least a dozen people, including elderly women, local small business people, traditional owners, custodians and their supporters.

Senator SIEWERT & Senator LUDLAM: To move:
That the Senate—

(a) condemns the heavy handed tactics of the Western Australian Government which has instructed Western Australian police to forcibly remove locals from the road blockade at James Price Point, arresting elderly women, traditional owners and custodians;

(b) acknowledges the concern in the Broome community about the regional impact of the Browse development at James Price Point; and

Senator Ludlam questioned the Commonwealth's responsibility for the situation at James Price Point having deteriorated to the degree that Aboriginal are people being forcibly removed from country during NAIDOC week.

The Australian Greens said today the arrest and forcible removal of protesters from James Price Point is an indictment on the process being undertaken to develop a LNG hub in the area.

WA Senators Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam have today called for the Environment Minister to put a stop to any land clearing at James Price Point until heritage and environmental assessments have been completed.