Aboriginal leader opposes Cape York plans

CANBERRA, Australia, May 23 (UPI) -- Efforts to protect the Cape York Peninsula in northern Australia have angered an aboriginal leader who says he no longer trusts the Labor government.

Noel Pearson opposes plans to ban development on land near three "wild rivers" and to push the peninsula's listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Australian reported.

The peninsula, the northernmost part of Queensland, is home to tropical rain forest, savannas and mangrove swamps, and almost the entire peninsula still has its native plants.

Environmental Minister Peter Garrett told The Australian the wild rivers designation is in the hands of the Queensland government. He said UNESCO listing is a process that will take years.

Pearson accused Peter Garrett of ignoring the Cape York aborigines since he became minister.

"I've not as much as shaken hands with him, and yet 15 years prior to that you couldn't stop the bugger wanting to meet you," Pearson said. "He would be up here saying he was a great friend of Aboriginal people and so on at the drop of a hat, and in two years of being a minister he has never darkened our doorway."