Updated May 20, 2026 – 7.31pm, first published at 5.49pmFormer West Australian premier Colin Barnett says billionaire Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Metals may struggle to regain the trust of Indigenous groups to develop future projects after a court was ordered it to pay $150 million to the Yindjibarndi people for mining their land without consent.The former Liberal leader’s warnings come as Indigenous leaders called for an overhaul to native title compensation processes as a result of the ruling, arguing the case showed that the current system can effectively reward miners for proceeding with projects without consent.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
Forrest has burnt trust with Indigenous people, Barnett warns
Indigenous leaders say the Fortescue and Yindjibarndi matter proves the current system financially incentivises miners from proceeding with projects without consent.
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