Indigenous group calls for land squatting
In northern New South Wales the Gumilaroi Heads of Government have called upon their people to squat on nearly 11 000 hecters of land bought by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC), who are funded by federal and state government grants. The ILC is a corprate body established by the Keating Labour Government. The ILC buys land for Aboriginal communities which does not fall under native title. However, according to the Gumilarroi Nation, the benefits of land ownership are not flowing down to people living in the community as the ILC retains control and managemnet over the lands it aquires. The Wire contacted the ILC but the body corporate was unable to comment for tonights broadcast. To find what is happening in the areas arround Moree The Wire’s reporter Sarah Bassiuoni spoke to Michael Anderson a spokesman of the Gumilaroi Nation. Here he discusses why the Gumilaroi Heads of Government have resorted to such radical action.