❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs regarding an alleged breach of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 by Fortescue Metals Group (FMG). The investigation is ongoing and legal advice is being sought.
AnsweredQoN 61Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ABORIGINAL HERITAGE —
FORTESCUE METALS GROUP
61. Hon
ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer to the article in The
Guardian of 25 February 2021, ''Fortescue Metals should be
prosecuted over Pilbara breach'' and the statement by the former
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, ''I have been advised by the Department
of Planning, Lands and Heritage that an alleged breach of the Aboriginal
Heritage Act is currently under official investigation.''
(1) Has the official investigation
commenced and on what date did it commence?
(2) Has it been concluded and on
what date?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) If yes to (2), what were the
findings and will the minister table them?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Will FMG be prosecuted for its
breach of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
The PRESIDENT : Nothing like
a lengthy question, member. Leader of the House.
FORTESCUE METALS GROUP
61. Hon
ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer to the article in The
Guardian of 25 February 2021, ''Fortescue Metals should be
prosecuted over Pilbara breach'' and the statement by the former
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, ''I have been advised by the Department
of Planning, Lands and Heritage that an alleged breach of the Aboriginal
Heritage Act is currently under official investigation.''
(1) Has the official investigation
commenced and on what date did it commence?
(2) Has it been concluded and on
what date?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) If yes to (2), what were the
findings and will the minister table them?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Will FMG be prosecuted for its
breach of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
The PRESIDENT : Nothing like
a lengthy question, member. Leader of the House.
AnswerView source ↗
Thanks, Madam President, but I have
a very short answer.
I
thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I answer on behalf
of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
(1) Yes. The investigation
commenced on 5 February 2021.
(2)–(7) The investigation is ongoing. It remains a high
priority and the department is currently seeking legal advice.
a very short answer.
I
thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I answer on behalf
of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
(1) Yes. The investigation
commenced on 5 February 2021.
(2)–(7) The investigation is ongoing. It remains a high
priority and the department is currently seeking legal advice.
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