❓ Opposition questions the government's consultation on the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, citing stakeholder concerns. The Premier defends the consultation process as collaborative and highlights the Act's aim to empower Aboriginal communities.
AnsweredQoN 411Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ABORIGINAL CULTURAL
HERITAGE ACT — STAKEHOLDER
FEEDBACK
411. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Premier:
I refer to the impending
implementation of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act and note growing concern
from stakeholders and communities, including goldfields Aboriginal elder Aubrey
Lynch, who told ABC Kalgoorlie just this morning —
We're not too sure what's
really happening � The government actually should be listening to Aboriginal
people �
With only 11 days until
implementation, does the Premier concede that his government has failed to
thoroughly consult and educate the community and stakeholders, upon whom the
success of this act relies?
HERITAGE ACT — STAKEHOLDER
FEEDBACK
411. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Premier:
I refer to the impending
implementation of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act and note growing concern
from stakeholders and communities, including goldfields Aboriginal elder Aubrey
Lynch, who told ABC Kalgoorlie just this morning —
We're not too sure what's
really happening � The government actually should be listening to Aboriginal
people �
With only 11 days until
implementation, does the Premier concede that his government has failed to
thoroughly consult and educate the community and stakeholders, upon whom the
success of this act relies?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
I know Aubrey; he has made those sorts of comments in the past. I welcome his
commentary. He is a great advocate for his community.
What is important to note
is the comment by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs when he said that, yes,
not everyone will get everything they want. That is the nature of a collaborative,
co-designed piece of legislation. As the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs also
said, many Aboriginal groups came forward saying that they would like much
stronger powers under the new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act. We made it
clear that although everyone wanted to have direct
engagement with Aboriginal people within the areas that would be impacted, they
did not necessarily want a situation in which they could not reach
agreement and move forward. I understand and fully respect those perspectives.
By virtue of the fact that these laws will directly involve Aboriginal people
controlling access to and the management of a lot of issues to do with
Aboriginal cultural heritage in their areas, it will be a change for them as
well. Under the previous act, we had an overly burdensome, bureaucratic and,
quite frankly, patronising and post-colonial approach to Aboriginal cultural
heritage protection. Again, as part of a simpler, fairer regime under the new
arrangements, Aboriginal people will be much more committed to and engaged in
managing these issues themselves. There are some questions and issues for them
that they need to come to an understanding of as well. That is part and parcel
of implementing new laws that will be simpler and fairer. At the end of the day,
these laws will continue to maintain everyone's obligation that we have
all had over the last 50 years—to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.
I know Aubrey; he has made those sorts of comments in the past. I welcome his
commentary. He is a great advocate for his community.
What is important to note
is the comment by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs when he said that, yes,
not everyone will get everything they want. That is the nature of a collaborative,
co-designed piece of legislation. As the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs also
said, many Aboriginal groups came forward saying that they would like much
stronger powers under the new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act. We made it
clear that although everyone wanted to have direct
engagement with Aboriginal people within the areas that would be impacted, they
did not necessarily want a situation in which they could not reach
agreement and move forward. I understand and fully respect those perspectives.
By virtue of the fact that these laws will directly involve Aboriginal people
controlling access to and the management of a lot of issues to do with
Aboriginal cultural heritage in their areas, it will be a change for them as
well. Under the previous act, we had an overly burdensome, bureaucratic and,
quite frankly, patronising and post-colonial approach to Aboriginal cultural
heritage protection. Again, as part of a simpler, fairer regime under the new
arrangements, Aboriginal people will be much more committed to and engaged in
managing these issues themselves. There are some questions and issues for them
that they need to come to an understanding of as well. That is part and parcel
of implementing new laws that will be simpler and fairer. At the end of the day,
these laws will continue to maintain everyone's obligation that we have
all had over the last 50 years—to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.
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