❓ Mr. Catania questions the Premier on the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill 2021, accusing the government of rushing it through Parliament. The Premier defends the bill, highlighting extensive consultations and previous bipartisan support, while pressing the opposition for their stance.
AnsweredQoN 775Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ABORIGINAL CULTURAL
HERITAGE BILL 2021
775. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
With the McGowan government again abusing its numbers in Parliament to ram
important legislation through, is this another attempt to avoid scrutiny and
critique?
HERITAGE BILL 2021
775. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
With the McGowan government again abusing its numbers in Parliament to ram
important legislation through, is this another attempt to avoid scrutiny and
critique?
AnswerView source ↗
The answer is no. Just so the member
knows, under this review, there have been 175 workshops, meetings and
information sessions at 35 locations statewide, with 380 submissions and huge
amounts of work by the former minister Ben Wyatt and the current minister, Hon Stephen
Dawson. The bill itself has changed from the bill that was proposed late last year in that it will put in place more
protections for Aboriginal heritage, based upon consultation with
Aboriginal people. That is why it has changed from last year.
The proposed legislation last year had the support of the
Liberal Party and the National Party. Former member Zak Kirkup indicated his strong support for it, as did Terry Redman.
Both were supportive of the bill as it then stood . This bill will enhance the protection of
Aboriginal heritage compared with that bill. I just urge people to come together and make sure that we pass this important legislation.
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Just so members understand, the history
of this —
The SPEAKER : Order, please, members!
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Will the opposition not support the
legislation?
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I just want to know. I want a clear
answer from the Liberals and Nationals.
Mr V.A. Catania : We have not had time to look at it,
Premier—that's the point!
Mr M. McGOWAN : So you are not telling us whether you
support it or not?
The history of this over the last 30 years is that every time
a government has tried to do this, it has failed.
Mr V.A. Catania : There are 353 clauses. We got it last
night at 5.10!
Mr M. McGOWAN : It is actually time for action. Are you
supporting it or not?
Ms L. Mettam : We have not had a chance to look at it.
Mr M. McGOWAN : You will have to give us an answer
because it is going to come to a vote! Are you supporting it or not?
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : There you go.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please, members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : My view is that governments are elected
to act, they are elected to make decisions and they are elected to improve
things, and that is what this legislation will do.
knows, under this review, there have been 175 workshops, meetings and
information sessions at 35 locations statewide, with 380 submissions and huge
amounts of work by the former minister Ben Wyatt and the current minister, Hon Stephen
Dawson. The bill itself has changed from the bill that was proposed late last year in that it will put in place more
protections for Aboriginal heritage, based upon consultation with
Aboriginal people. That is why it has changed from last year.
The proposed legislation last year had the support of the
Liberal Party and the National Party. Former member Zak Kirkup indicated his strong support for it, as did Terry Redman.
Both were supportive of the bill as it then stood . This bill will enhance the protection of
Aboriginal heritage compared with that bill. I just urge people to come together and make sure that we pass this important legislation.
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Just so members understand, the history
of this —
The SPEAKER : Order, please, members!
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Will the opposition not support the
legislation?
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I just want to know. I want a clear
answer from the Liberals and Nationals.
Mr V.A. Catania : We have not had time to look at it,
Premier—that's the point!
Mr M. McGOWAN : So you are not telling us whether you
support it or not?
The history of this over the last 30 years is that every time
a government has tried to do this, it has failed.
Mr V.A. Catania : There are 353 clauses. We got it last
night at 5.10!
Mr M. McGOWAN : It is actually time for action. Are you
supporting it or not?
Ms L. Mettam : We have not had a chance to look at it.
Mr M. McGOWAN : You will have to give us an answer
because it is going to come to a vote! Are you supporting it or not?
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : There you go.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please, members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : My view is that governments are elected
to act, they are elected to make decisions and they are elected to improve
things, and that is what this legislation will do.
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