❓ Question regarding the selection process and cost of the smoking ceremony at the Mitchell Freeway extension opening, and whether another Indigenous person was compensated. The Minister confirms the person was a traditional owner involved in the project and the other person wasn't compensated.
AnsweredQoN 807Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MITCHELL FREEWAY — SMOKING CEREMONY
807. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the minister representing the
Minister for Transport:
I
refer to the smoking ceremony conducted during the opening of the Mitchell
Freeway extension on Sunday, 9 July.
(1) On what basis
was the Indigenous person engaged to conduct the smoking ceremony and what was
the cost to the taxpayer?
(2) Can the
minister provide details on how the department verified and assessed who the
most appropriate person was to conduct the ceremony?
(3) Noting that
another Indigenous person on site that day asserted that he had a more, or equally,
legitimate claim to conduct the ceremony, can the minister advise whether he
was also provided with financial compensation?
(4) How will the
department ensure that all candidates for culturally significant ceremonies are
correctly identified in future to ensure that all local knowledge holders are
consulted appropriately?
807. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the minister representing the
Minister for Transport:
I
refer to the smoking ceremony conducted during the opening of the Mitchell
Freeway extension on Sunday, 9 July.
(1) On what basis
was the Indigenous person engaged to conduct the smoking ceremony and what was
the cost to the taxpayer?
(2) Can the
minister provide details on how the department verified and assessed who the
most appropriate person was to conduct the ceremony?
(3) Noting that
another Indigenous person on site that day asserted that he had a more, or equally,
legitimate claim to conduct the ceremony, can the minister advise whether he
was also provided with financial compensation?
(4) How will the
department ensure that all candidates for culturally significant ceremonies are
correctly identified in future to ensure that all local knowledge holders are
consulted appropriately?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(4) The
Aboriginal person who conducted the ceremony is a traditional owner and elder
from the Whadjuk region who worked on the project throughout construction. This
included undertaking a smoking ceremony
prior to construction starting. The other Aboriginal person referred to was not
provided financial compensation. Main Roads will continue working
closely with the Aboriginal engagement team of the transport portfolio.
Aboriginal person who conducted the ceremony is a traditional owner and elder
from the Whadjuk region who worked on the project throughout construction. This
included undertaking a smoking ceremony
prior to construction starting. The other Aboriginal person referred to was not
provided financial compensation. Main Roads will continue working
closely with the Aboriginal engagement team of the transport portfolio.
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