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	One of the discussions at the ISX

HISTORIC ALLIANCE BETWEEN KIMBERLEY AND CAPE YORK CATTLE GROUPS

By Kimberley Aboriginal Pastoral Association, Northern Cattleman's Association

One of the highlights of the Yawuru Trading Floor was the meeting between Cape York and Kimberley cattle men. It was like a meeting between long lost brothers.

At an historic meeting between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Pastoralists in Broome this week, a new alliance was formed between the Northern Cattleman's Alliance (NCA) of Cape York Peninsula and the Kimberley Aboriginal Pastoralists Association. (KAPA).

The new partnership, called the Northern Indigenous Pastoral Alliance (NIPA) will meet biannually in the Kimberley and on Cape York Peninsula to further the interests of the Indigenous pastoral industry and in particular its relationships with the non-Indigenous pastoral industry.

Alan Creek, President of the Northern Cattleman's Alliance representing Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Cattlemen from Cape York Peninsula said "I am delighted to have the alliance in place and to have had the privilege of being escorted thru the Kimberley by the great Indigenous Ambassador for the Kimberley, Sam Lovell. Spending a few days with Sam enabled the representatives of Cape York Peninsula to see what a common set of issues and opportunities there is across our respective Northern peninsulas and archipelagos."

Louie Dolby, President of Kimberley Aboriginal Pastoralists Association, said "There are many similarities between the Kimberley and Cape York. Both have dry savannah lands bordered by sea, our primary cattle trade is oriented towards live exports and there are common interests which we can explore in the development of strong commercial cattle operations led by professional Indigenous managers".

The objectives of the new alliance are summed up in 10 covenants as follows:

The Northern Cattleman's Alliance and the Kimberley Aboriginal Pastoralists Association agree to work together in a new National Indigenous Pastoral Alliance:

1. To contribute to the sustainable prosperity and livelihoods of Indigenous communities through the creation of commercial opportunities for Indigenous pastoralists;
2. To continually improve the communications, relationships and linkages between non- Indigenous and Indigenous pastoral industries;
3. To professionalise and improve the skills of Indigenous managers;
4. To improve the overall management performance of Indigenous pastoral properties, building viable, self sufficient pastoral enterprises;
5. To encourage Indigenous participation & ownership in long term ecologically sustainable management of rangelands;
6. To improve profitability and sustainability of Aboriginal properties through developing herd quality and size;
7. To provide information, support and training to members;
8. To develop market opportunities through new partnerships and diversification;
9. To enhance sustainable production through best practice in range management on Indigenous pastoral properties;
10. To develop a Franchise business model for the management of Indigenous owned properties.

For more information contact:

Peter Mc Entee, CEO, KAPA
Ph: 08 9192 5818
Email: msuac@bigpond.com

Alan Creek, President, Northern Cattleman's Alliance
Ph: 07 4053 9222

For further information