Tarlka Matuwa Piarku Aboriginal Corporation (TMPAC) response to The West Australian’s article:

“Car firebombing outside Wiluna police station exposes violent feud within WA native title group.” Published 31 July 2026.

TMPAC is choosing to address the factual errors and misrepresentations made in the above-mentioned article by The West Australian.

It is our position that the article has several inaccuracies, biased commentary and events taken out of context. We address these below.

June 19 Incident

• The June 19 incident involved local community in Wiluna.

• This event occurred six weeks prior to The West’s decision to include it in a story and is independent of Tarlka Matuwa Piarku Aboriginal Corporation (TMPAC).

• It is not TMPAC’s role to become involved in personal disputes.

• TMPAC does not comment on legal proceedings.

TMPAC’s role and responsibilities

• TMPAC is a Registered Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC). The corporation’s role is to manage the native title rights and interests of the Wiluna Martu people.

• This includes operating with the respective federal and state legislation for RNTBCs to protect and preserve cultural heritage and country for native title holders.

• Unfortunately, the article’s statement “TMPAC’s native title blessing is effectively required for any mining development to proceed” is incorrect.

• The Native Title Act 1993cth requires native title parties to negotiate in good faith, a responsibility that TMPAC commits to fully, when engaged in agreement making.

TMPAC is stable

• The West’s article has not attributed any of the opinions or claims made to any named sources.

• We therefore question the validity and integrity of the journalist’s sources, their intent and the publication’s decision to include these comments.

• TMPAC has major mining projects in the determination area, with comprehensive agreements in place and extensive engagement with exploration companies

• These agreements have created healthy and prosperous relationships between industry and community, reflecting our long-standing commitment to supporting responsible resource development.

• The relationship TMPAC has with BHP, as reported in the article, is one such example.

• The majority of proponents have sought to understand the perspective of native title holders and the importance of preserving what is the world’s oldest living culture.

• TMPAC is operating in a business-as-usual state and look forward to continuing our positive engagement with all parties who wish to work on or visit Country.

In conclusion, we do believe this experience presents opportunities to move forward in a constructive manner.

We invite those wishing to write about, or comment on native title matters to seek cultural awareness and education prior to printing opinions as facts.

END