As reported on the ABC World Today programme (Thursday, 5th March 2009), the aboriginal leaders in the Northern Territory have done a deal with Forestry Tasmania to log trees in Arnhem Land. Under the deal, the Gumatj Association will pay Forestry Tasmania to teach aboriginal workers how to cut down trees and run sawmills.

The initial intent is to 'use' the timber that would have lost as a result of the clearing 850 hectares for Rio Tinto's bauxite mine.  Whilst this initiative provides opportunity to create employment for local aboriginal people, once the initial timber is accessed it opens the gate for continued logging in the tall forests of the Top End.