The indigenous Quandamooka people of Minjerribah, or North Stradbroke Island, are engaged in a fight to implement their native title claim.

It has been two years since the Quandamooka people won a 16 year battle to have their native title claim on North Stradbroke and the surrounding bay recognised. Under the claim, sand mining leases held by Sibelco Australia Ltd were to expire in 2019, and the mining lease areas were to revert to native title in 2020.

Yet the Liberal National Party promised during last year’s state election campaign to extend the extraction laws to 2035. Sibelco subsequently donated more than $90,000 to the party. It was then given exclusive access to the government for the purpose of rewriting the North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability Act 2011.

Quandamooka land council chairman Darren Burns says he fears the Liberal National Party government is repaying favours. “This bill, if passed, will guarantee the early demise of Quandamooka people through the sheer heartache, insult, contempt they thought they had lived through the worst of.”

Indigenous North Stradbroke Islanders say they have been subjected to discrimination over the mining deal. They want the dealings between the Newman government and Sibelco to be referred to Queensland’s Crime and Misconduct Commission.

The company has a history of illegal sand mining on the island alongside its lawful ventures. It is still in court facing criminal charges of sand theft and is also under investigation for breaching an international wetland convention.

Similar to the manoeuvres of many mining companies around Australia, Sibelco has sought to divide the Indigenous community. In a meeting held to discuss the extension to the mining leases before it was put to parliament, all groups were invited except the Quandamooka Yulluburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, which has been one of the most outspoken opposition groups.

According to QYAC CEO Cameron Costello, if the government wins, it will set a precedent for every native title holder in the country.