❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs regarding the transfer of powers to Murujuga National Park rangers for heritage site protection, following vandalism incidents. The Minister responds that powers are pending legislation and outlines collaborative efforts to address vandalism.
AnsweredQoN 4546Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Murujuga National Park Management Plan 2013 , page 11, and I ask: (a) have relevant and appropriate powers vested in the Department of Aboriginal Affairs (DAA) for the protection of heritage sites, been transferred to the rangers employed to manage Murujuga National Park; (b) if no to (a), why not; (c) if no to (a), is the DAA working to ensure these powers are transferred; (d) if yes to (c), will the Minister and/or the DAA outline what is being done to ensure these powers are transferred; (e) if yes to (a) will the Minister and/or the DAA provide an outline of the specific powers to be transferred to the Murujuga rangers; (f) if no to (d), why not; (g) if no to (e), why not; (h) with reference to the different acts of vandalism mentioned in question without notice No. 12, asked on 16 February 2016, and question without notice No. 760, asked on 13 August 2014, and I ask, will the Minister comment on whether there is a degree of urgency needed in the transferring of powers to the Murujuga rangers; (i) if yes to (h), will the Minister comment on whether the DAA is working to transfer these powers with urgency; and (j) if no to (h), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 November 2016
Responded by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Response time
29 days
a. No.
b. – c. Provisions for an Honourable Wardens scheme that would be appropriate for ranger groups such as Murujuga Rangers are included in the Aboriginal Heritage Amendment Bill 2014.
d. – g. Not applicable.
h. – j. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs has been working with the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation in response to vandalism in Murujuga National Park. There has been an increased management presence and an increase in the number of patrols in the Murujuga National Park. In addition, a public education campaign has been developed to increase awareness of the cultural values of the Burrup, Murujuga Rangers have undertaken a graffiti management and removal training program, and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs has provided funding for graffiti removal equipment for use by the Murujuga Rangers. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs will continue to work closely with the Murujuga Rangers and the Department of Parks and Wildlife to address any further incidents of vandalism within the National Park.
b. – c. Provisions for an Honourable Wardens scheme that would be appropriate for ranger groups such as Murujuga Rangers are included in the Aboriginal Heritage Amendment Bill 2014.
d. – g. Not applicable.
h. – j. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs has been working with the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation in response to vandalism in Murujuga National Park. There has been an increased management presence and an increase in the number of patrols in the Murujuga National Park. In addition, a public education campaign has been developed to increase awareness of the cultural values of the Burrup, Murujuga Rangers have undertaken a graffiti management and removal training program, and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs has provided funding for graffiti removal equipment for use by the Murujuga Rangers. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs will continue to work closely with the Murujuga Rangers and the Department of Parks and Wildlife to address any further incidents of vandalism within the National Park.
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