❓ Hon Neil Thomson questions the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs regarding the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation's (WAC) statements on heritage assessments and authorisation roles. The Minister confirms awareness and disapproval of WAC's threats, clarifying the roles of various organisations in authorising Aboriginal heritage assessments and surveys.
AnsweredQoN 110Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation
110. Hon Neil Thomson to the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer to the
series of recent reports in The Australian and National Indigenous Times raising serious
government concern about the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation.
(1)
Is the minister aware that the WAC has stated:
Consultants
are formally put on notice … Any unauthorised heritage assessments,
surveys or related activity undertaken without express approval from WAC via
SWALS may be subject to legal challenge, non-recognition, or referral to
relevant authorities.
(2)
Are these types of threats on "land use work" acceptable to the Minister
for Aboriginal Affairs?
(3)
Given the potential fear and misunderstanding they engender in our community,
can the minister urgently clarify for the people of Perth the role of the
following organisations in authorising Aboriginal heritage assessments and
surveys:
(a)
the South West Aboriginal Land Services;
(b) the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council;
(c)
the WAC; and
(d)
the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage?
110. Hon Neil Thomson to the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer to the
series of recent reports in The Australian and National Indigenous Times raising serious
government concern about the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation.
(1)
Is the minister aware that the WAC has stated:
Consultants
are formally put on notice … Any unauthorised heritage assessments,
surveys or related activity undertaken without express approval from WAC via
SWALS may be subject to legal challenge, non-recognition, or referral to
relevant authorities.
(2)
Are these types of threats on "land use work" acceptable to the Minister
for Aboriginal Affairs?
(3)
Given the potential fear and misunderstanding they engender in our community,
can the minister urgently clarify for the people of Perth the role of the
following organisations in authorising Aboriginal heritage assessments and
surveys:
(a)
the South West Aboriginal Land Services;
(b) the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council;
(c)
the WAC; and
(d)
the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. I have two questions from
the member in the folder and neither of them reads exactly as the member read
out today. I do not know what to give him.
Hon Martin Aldridge: Just do them both.
Hon Stephen Dawson: No, that is not how this works.
Hon Neil Thomson: I only have the number, which
is C120.
Hon Stephen Dawson: I have a C120; it just does not
have any of the preamble the member just read out. I am happy to give the
member the answer to C120. If it is different from the question that the member
submitted, he will have to submit it again tomorrow.
I provide this
answer on behalf of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
(1)
Yes.
(2)
No.
(3)
(a) The South West Aboriginal Land Services (SWALS) has no authorisation role.
(b)
The South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) has an authorisation role.
(c)
The Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) has no authorisation role.
(d)
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage has no authorising role.
honourable member for some notice of the question. I have two questions from
the member in the folder and neither of them reads exactly as the member read
out today. I do not know what to give him.
Hon Martin Aldridge: Just do them both.
Hon Stephen Dawson: No, that is not how this works.
Hon Neil Thomson: I only have the number, which
is C120.
Hon Stephen Dawson: I have a C120; it just does not
have any of the preamble the member just read out. I am happy to give the
member the answer to C120. If it is different from the question that the member
submitted, he will have to submit it again tomorrow.
I provide this
answer on behalf of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
(1)
Yes.
(2)
No.
(3)
(a) The South West Aboriginal Land Services (SWALS) has no authorisation role.
(b)
The South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) has an authorisation role.
(c)
The Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) has no authorisation role.
(d)
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage has no authorising role.
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