Hon Robin Chapple asks about approvals granted to mining and resource companies under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act (1972) during the 40th Parliament, including the period after the Juukan Gorge destruction. The Minister provides a detailed breakdown of approvals and rejections.

AnsweredQoN 1Legislative Council
Asked
29 April 2021
Portfolio
Aboriginal Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the 40th Parliament of Western Australia, and the approvals granted to mining and resource companies under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act (1972) , and I ask: (a) during the 40th Parliament, how many section 18 applications were granted by the Government: (i) will the Minister please table (a) per annum : (A) if no to (a)(i), why not; (b) during the 40th Parliament, how many section 18 applications were rejected by the Government: (i) will the Minister please table (b) per annum : (A) if no to (b)(i), why not; (c) how many section 18 applications have been granted in the period since Juukan Gorge was destroyed by Rio Tinto on 24 May 2020?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
1 June 2021
Responded by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Response time
10 days
(a) 143 consents were granted to mining and resource companies by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs pursuant to section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 during the period specified.
(i) 2017 (11 May-31 December): 28
2018: 29
2019: 47
2020: 39
2021 (1-29 January): 0
(A) Not applicable
(b) One
(i) 2017 (11 May-31 December): 0
2018: 0
2019: 0
2020: 1
2021 (1-29 January): 0
(A) Not applicable
(c) 22 section 18 consents have been granted and 1 declined.

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