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Alleged assault of indigenous worker at Carmichael mine

28 February 2023

An anti-fossil fuel activist who has been unlawfully camping on Bravus’ mining lease near Clermont in Central Queensland for over 18-months has followed through on his threat to assault an indigenous employee who was just going about their day job. Earlier this month, Coedie McAvoy made public threats to Bravus’ indigenous workforce via his social media channels, stating “If you think you can come into my backyard with a stupid ar** Adani security, you are sorely mistaken.” He went on to say: “If I have to lay punishment on every single one of those people who come out here and they don’t come through my ceremony, then I will lay that punishment on them myself.” “If you think I am playing, come here because I am prepared to die for my country are you prepared to die for your fu***** cultural heritage job?” “If you think your fu***** law fu***** works and you are going to back the white man, come in, come in, I dare you cause I tell you what, you won’t be f***** walking out of here and the police will be standing out the front and I will say to them have the f****** ambulance ready. I’m going to tell the f****** police before they even get here it’s your duty of care to make sure nobody gets hurt and I’m telling you if these people come here they will get hurt.” Bravus Mining and Resources notified Queensland Police of these threats on 10 February 2023 and disappointingly no action had been taken against Mr McAvoy, allowing Mr McAvoy unrestrained access to Bravus’ mining lease. At around midday yesterday, Mr McAvoy and an accomplice intercepted  a Bravus Mining and Resources vehicle by pulling in front of it and forcing it to stop. Mr McAvoy then opened the door of the Bravus Mining and Resources vehicle and attempted to drag an indigenous environmental ranger from the vehicle under the threat of subjecting the worker to Mr McAvoy’s “tribal law.” In a video of the incident the frightened worker is heard telling Mr McAvoy “I just want to do my job” as Mr McAvoy stands over him. Bravus Mining and Resources has made a complaint to Queensland Police and the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships who is responsible for the Cultural Heritage Unit following the incident and Bravus has called on authorities to act to protect law-abiding mine workers and cultural heritage workers who want to feel safe while doing their jobs. A Bravus Mining and Resources spokesperson said the alleged assault was an alarming escalation in the series of threats Mr McAvoy had made against Traditional Owners who are working to manage cultural heritage and the environment at the Carmichael mine. Mr McAvoy has been camping on the Carmichael mining lease without permission for more than 18 months. He opposes the mine, in contrast to the majority of Traditional Owners who negotiated an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with Bravus Mining and Resources and are working proactively with the company to manage cultural heritage and the environment at the mine. “Mr McAvoy has posted threats to social media asking our cultural heritage workers if they are willing to die for their job,” the spokesperson said. “He has made threats that our workers “won’t be walking out” if they enter areas of our mining lease where he is camped on the mining lease without our permission. “Mr McAvoy has boasted that the Queensland Government “can’t touch him”. We now call on the State Government to show that no person is above the law, and that intimidation and assault of workers will not be tolerated. “We call on the State Government to listen to the voices and respect the human rights of First Nation workers just wanting to get on with their job safely. “Our First Nations employees are using their skillsets to care for country and culture and create a better future for their families and that should be celebrated. They shouldn’t be left vulnerable to harassment, intimidation, or violence from the likes of Mr McAvoy simply because he has a large social media following and they don’t and Mr McAvoy thinks his political grandstanding is more important than their jobs.” ENDS Download PDF...