❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the WA Museum's decision to reclaim artefacts from the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre, questioning the impact on the centre and the lack of negotiated settlement.
AnsweredQoN 682Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SHARK BAY WORLD HERITAGE DISCOVERY CENTRE - WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM 682. Hon NORMAN MOORE to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Culture and the Arts: (1) Why is the Western Australian Museum seeking the return of artefacts displayed in the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre that are fundamental to the centre’s existence? (2) Why has the minister engaged the State Solicitor’s Office to take action against the Shire of Shark Bay on this matter? (3) Why will the minister not seek to resolve this matter by meeting with the Shire of Shark Bay and attempting to secure a mediated settlement? (4) Will the minister instruct the Museum to desist from removing the artefacts until a negotiated settlement is secured; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
SHARK BAY WORLD HERITAGE DISCOVERY CENTRE - WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM
(1) Why is the Western Australian Museum seeking the return of artefacts displayed in the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre that are fundamental to the centre’s existence? (2) Why has the minister engaged the State Solicitor’s Office to take action against the Shire of Shark Bay on this matter? (3) Why will the minister not seek to resolve this matter by meeting with the Shire of Shark Bay and attempting to secure a mediated settlement? (4) Will the minister instruct the Museum to desist from removing the artefacts until a negotiated settlement is secured; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
(2) Why has the minister engaged the State Solicitor’s Office to take action against the Shire of Shark Bay on this matter? (3) Why will the minister not seek to resolve this matter by meeting with the Shire of Shark Bay and attempting to secure a mediated settlement? (4) Will the minister instruct the Museum to desist from removing the artefacts until a negotiated settlement is secured; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
(3) Why will the minister not seek to resolve this matter by meeting with the Shire of Shark Bay and attempting to secure a mediated settlement? (4) Will the minister instruct the Museum to desist from removing the artefacts until a negotiated settlement is secured; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
(4) Will the minister instruct the Museum to desist from removing the artefacts until a negotiated settlement is secured; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
(1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
(3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
(4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
SHARK BAY WORLD HERITAGE DISCOVERY CENTRE - WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM
(1) Why is the Western Australian Museum seeking the return of artefacts displayed in the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre that are fundamental to the centre’s existence? (2) Why has the minister engaged the State Solicitor’s Office to take action against the Shire of Shark Bay on this matter? (3) Why will the minister not seek to resolve this matter by meeting with the Shire of Shark Bay and attempting to secure a mediated settlement? (4) Will the minister instruct the Museum to desist from removing the artefacts until a negotiated settlement is secured; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
(2) Why has the minister engaged the State Solicitor’s Office to take action against the Shire of Shark Bay on this matter? (3) Why will the minister not seek to resolve this matter by meeting with the Shire of Shark Bay and attempting to secure a mediated settlement? (4) Will the minister instruct the Museum to desist from removing the artefacts until a negotiated settlement is secured; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
(3) Why will the minister not seek to resolve this matter by meeting with the Shire of Shark Bay and attempting to secure a mediated settlement? (4) Will the minister instruct the Museum to desist from removing the artefacts until a negotiated settlement is secured; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
(4) Will the minister instruct the Museum to desist from removing the artefacts until a negotiated settlement is secured; and, if not, why not? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
(1) The Western Australian Museum provided support and assistance to the Shire of Shark Bay in establishing the world heritage centre. Nine objects were provided on a short-term loan basis for an initial period of six months and extended until 30 September 2006. These objects were provided on short-term loan as all but one, the Gudrun figurehead, was on public exhibition at a museum site. The objects were required back by the Museum to again be placed back on public display at the Museum’s own site and for an important temporary exhibition, “Voyages of Grand Discovery” at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The world heritage centre was established to interpret the World Heritage values - the natural and cultural heritage of the area. This includes European, social history, pastoral, Aboriginal and pearling stories. Shipwrecks were not included in the reasoning for World Heritage listing but were strongly pursued by the shire president. In total, the Museum loaned 68 artefacts related to shipwrecks to the centre, of which nine were iconic objects on short-term loans as they were previously on display in permanent or temporary exhibitions at museum sites, including Geraldton and Fremantle. Fifty-nine other objects were provided on a long-term loan. The Museum is now seeking the return of 68 objects loaned to the centre. (2) The Museum, not the minister, has engaged the State Solicitor’s Office following numerous letters and requests for meetings with the shire that had failed to resolve the issue. In a final attempt to reach a negotiated settlement, the Museum wrote to the shire advising it that Museum staff would travel to Shark Bay to collect the nine iconic objects. Three senior staff travelled to Shark Bay on 4 May 2007 to collect the nine iconic artefacts and to provide assistance developing public programs and identify other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. Museum staff were in Shark Bay for four days. The shire would not meet with staff until the fourth day, and for four days staff were refused entry to the centre and could not retrieve the Museum’s objects. It was at this time the Museum engaged the State Solicitor’s Office. (3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
(3) The Museum has sought to resolve this issue since October 2006. The Museum has continually made and continues to make offers to the shire to make the centre more viable through developing public programs and identifying other artefacts and exhibition approaches that could assist with attracting visitors to the centre. The Museum has also offered repeatedly to make replicas of several of the iconic objects. (4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
(4) On 10 August 2007, the Shire of Shark Bay’s solicitors wrote to the Museum on behalf of the shire proposing that the Museum collect all items currently on loan to the centre and requesting that the Museum collect the items on 20 August 2007. Arrangements were made for Museum staff to travel to Shark Bay on 6 September to collect the artefacts and to again offer the support detailed. No response has been received from the shire and the arrangements have had to be cancelled. Notwithstanding that, the Museum has continued to negotiate with the shire to resolve this matter. The Museum continues to offer the centre the ongoing loan of the 59 other artefacts and continues to offer to make replicas of the other objects for display. The Museum also continues to offer to assist with the development of public programs and alternative exhibition ideas to attract visitors to the centre. The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
The minister has no power of direction over the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, which has care of and control over the Museum’s collections.
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