Dear Premier Barnett I am writing to you out of my concern for the proposed industrialisation of the Kimberley region in the north of Western Australia. Much of the Kimberley remains pristine wilderness with extremely high conservation values in terms of species under threat and sites of great historical and cultural significance. There is no doubt that a healthy planet and healthy human society requires the conservation of large areas where nature remains undamaged and unhindered. The Kimberley is one such location which affords these benefits. Across the world, eco and adventure tourism continues to grow and, as the rest of the world wakes up to this fact, competition in these areas is growing. Any damage to the natural values of the Kimberley hinders Australia's progress as a competitor. Eco-tourism not only adds value to protected areas with high conservation values, it supports many small businesses, often owned and managed by indigenous Australians, offering a sustainable lifestyle and a meaningful path out of poverty. I put it to you that industrialisation of the Kimberley requires too many compromises for short term benefit for too few people. These compromises not only include the destruction of the landscape and a poorly understood regional ecology but put at risk many areas of cultural significance and opportunities for eco and adventure tourism. I also put it to you that there has not been sufficient scientific research conducted in the Kimberley for you to make an educated proposition that mining and development should be permitted in the region. For these reasons, I call on you to rule out any industrial development in the Kimberley. Yours Sincerely,