Comments on: Setting the tone http://adams.id.au/blog/2008/02/setting-the-tone/ Technology, mountain biking, politics & music. Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:56:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Trent http://adams.id.au/blog/2008/02/setting-the-tone/comment-page-1/#comment-121 Trent Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:10:51 +0000 http://adams.id.au/blog/2008/02/setting-the-tone/#comment-121 I'm of the opinion that compensation should be in the form of services rather than money. Some may see this as removing the element of self-government, but I've seen the lure of corruption in how BHP pays the traditional owners of its mines , which introduced a disparity of wealth akin to Saudi oil sheiks. In contrast, Argyle Mines provides goods, services, consultation and training to the traditional owners in the Kimberley. It aggressively pursues employment for local workers (up to 40% local employment, last I checked), as well as setting up community-run businesses like service stations and roadhouses. The social benefit to this approach was clear to me when I last visited there. Frankly, I don't care whether it's called 'compensation' or 'raising the standard of all remote communities (who just happen to be mostly aboriginal)', as long as the money is effective and efficient. I’m of the opinion that compensation should be in the form of services rather than money. Some may see this as removing the element of self-government, but I’ve seen the lure of corruption in how BHP pays the traditional owners of its mines , which introduced a disparity of wealth akin to Saudi oil sheiks.

In contrast, Argyle Mines provides goods, services, consultation and training to the traditional owners in the Kimberley. It aggressively pursues employment for local workers (up to 40% local employment, last I checked), as well as setting up community-run businesses like service stations and roadhouses. The social benefit to this approach was clear to me when I last visited there.

Frankly, I don’t care whether it’s called ‘compensation’ or ‘raising the standard of all remote communities (who just happen to be mostly aboriginal)’, as long as the money is effective and efficient.

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