❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Premier's decision to repeal the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 and the performance of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. The Premier defends the decision and the Minister's work.
AnsweredQoN 445Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ABORIGINAL CULTURAL
HERITAGE ACT — REPEAL
445. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Premier:
I
refer to the Premier's backflip on what he has now described as the
unworkable and burdensome Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, and the
untenable position of his Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Noting the minister's
abject failure in developing and implementing this act, his refusal to listen
to key interest groups and his arrogant disregard for community concern, will
the Premier relegate him to the backbench where he belongs?
HERITAGE ACT — REPEAL
445. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Premier:
I
refer to the Premier's backflip on what he has now described as the
unworkable and burdensome Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, and the
untenable position of his Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Noting the minister's
abject failure in developing and implementing this act, his refusal to listen
to key interest groups and his arrogant disregard for community concern, will
the Premier relegate him to the backbench where he belongs?
AnswerView source ↗
I welcome all members back from
their winter break. I hope they have all had a good rest and had time to
recharge their batteries —
Ms S.F. McGurk : And watch the
Matildas.
Mr R.H. COOK : — and watch the Matildas, and are very
much looking forward to the spring session of Parliament.
Madam Speaker, I made a commitment
when I became Premier that I would listen to the community, hear their voices and respond when necessary and make
decisions. That is a commitment that I have undertaken and d elivered
upon today. The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and I made an announcement
earlier today with regard to the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021, because
we understood that this act had raised some levels of confusion, division and
anxiety within the community. As a result, we made the decisions we have. We
have done so with the commitment that we will govern for all Western Australians.
I commend the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs for working tirelessly with
farming communities, industry groups, miners, Aboriginal groups and the
community more generally to hear their
voices. It is because of his work in consultation with those groups that we
have come to today's decision. It is an important decision. It is a decision
that says that we will govern for all Western Australians. That is why
we have taken the tough decision to propose to Parliament that the 2021 act be
repealed, because we believe that is in the best interests of all Western Australians.
I think that is what everyone expects from all ministers in a government.
their winter break. I hope they have all had a good rest and had time to
recharge their batteries —
Ms S.F. McGurk : And watch the
Matildas.
Mr R.H. COOK : — and watch the Matildas, and are very
much looking forward to the spring session of Parliament.
Madam Speaker, I made a commitment
when I became Premier that I would listen to the community, hear their voices and respond when necessary and make
decisions. That is a commitment that I have undertaken and d elivered
upon today. The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and I made an announcement
earlier today with regard to the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021, because
we understood that this act had raised some levels of confusion, division and
anxiety within the community. As a result, we made the decisions we have. We
have done so with the commitment that we will govern for all Western Australians.
I commend the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs for working tirelessly with
farming communities, industry groups, miners, Aboriginal groups and the
community more generally to hear their
voices. It is because of his work in consultation with those groups that we
have come to today's decision. It is an important decision. It is a decision
that says that we will govern for all Western Australians. That is why
we have taken the tough decision to propose to Parliament that the 2021 act be
repealed, because we believe that is in the best interests of all Western Australians.
I think that is what everyone expects from all ministers in a government.
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