Issue 4 | Barayamal Digest

The payment for ecosystem services (PES) model is supporting a new wave of self-determined construction on Aboriginal homelands. With no secure strategy for government infrastructure investment in homelands, particularly in new housing or new homelands, PES provides an alternative approach to support meaningful livelihoods on Country. Importantly, revenue from PES can support self-determined and appropriate building there. theconversation.com

A proposed $2 billion Indigenous-led coal-fired power station in Collinsville in North Queensland — developed by Brisbane-based Indigenous company Shine Energy and headed by traditional Biri man Ashley Dodd — is set to revive one of the country’s oldest coal towns. abc.net.au

One of the great West Australian stories of brilliance and resilience is set to be told in a book honouring football hero Bill Dempsey. Penned by Steve Hawke, the son of late prime minister Bob Hawke, it will outline the remarkable life of a man who was left at a Darwin mission at just three years of age and went on to become a household WA name as a champion ruckman who played 343 games for West Perth in the 1960s and 1970s. thewest.com.au

A leading copyright lawyer says the Australian federal government could step in to settle the current dispute over who can reproduce the Aboriginal flag, by buying out all the rights to license the image. guardian.com

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is seeking a $2m to $2.5m penalty against a now-defunct company, Birubi Art, which breached consumer law by selling thousands of Indonesian-made items as Aboriginal art. guardian.com