Public Statement Re: Spit Native Title Claim
It has come to our attention that the SBS Australia, Sky News, 7NEWS Gold Coast and others have published articles regarding a proposed 'new native title claim' over the Spit.
We consider it a matter of public interest that the full details are noted:
Yugambeh people have had an active native title claim filed since 2017, which David Dillon and Anthony Dillon are members of, Anthony was also a member of the Applicant from 2017 until this year.
On the 7th of April this year, Anthony was removed as a member of the Applicant for:
pursuing personal benefits by allocating work to his company while performing the role of Cultural Heritage Co-ordinator for the Danggan Balun applicant;
securing personal benefits amounting to $176,925 in disbursements paid to his company between January 2020 and June 2021;
making a profit from his position of trust without permission from the Danggan Balun claim group; and
breaching the approved terms and conditions of the Applicant's appointment
A full copy of the judgement can be found here: https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/.../2022/2022fca0355
Anthony Dillon and others have now made representations to the public that they are bringing another claim on behalf of the "Kombumerri-NgarangWal Saltwater People" to reaffirm their "legitimate rights" to land, "the resident traditional owners of the broader Gold Coast lands and waterways at the southern end of Quandamooka Country''.
The Yugambeh Nation rejects these statements as nothing more but outlandlish and vindictive.
We hope that the public will see this for what it really is.
Nyanyahbu
Yugambeh Nation