❓ A parliamentary question regarding Fortescue Metals Group's alleged non-compliance with Aboriginal Heritage Act and Mining Act, specifically concerning heritage surveys and respect for traditional custodians. The Minister acknowledges an investigation is underway.
AnsweredQoN 1819Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Statement, 'Aboriginal Heritage-Fortescue Metals Group-Pilbara' that I provided to the Legislative Council on Wednesday, 31 October 2018, where I
raised issues regarding Fortescue Metals Group's (FMG) systematic non-compliance with the Aboriginal
Heritage Act 1972 and Mining Act 1978 , and ask: (a) is the Minister aware that FMG has engaged Extent Heritage to conduct Aboriginal
heritage surveys without informing, inviting or involving the traditional custodians
of the land, the Eastern Guruma people; (b) if no to (a), why not; (c) if yes to (a), why is this acceptable; (d) is
the Minister aware that in conducting these surveys Extent Heritage and FMG may
have entered a highly sensitive Aboriginal site restricted to initiated men
only, which is contrary to Eastern Guruma law and custom; (e) if no to (d), why not; (f) if yes to (d), why is this acceptable; (g) is
the Minister concerned that FMG, a company that purports to respect Aboriginal
people and their cultural heritage, is prepared to marginalise and show
complete disrespect to elders past and present in order to maintain their
project timeline for the construction of the Eliwana Railway, as shown by the documents I tabled with this statement; (h) if no to (g), why not; (i) if yes to (g), what action will the Minister take; (j) as a result of the statement and tabled papers, will the Minister undertake an investigation; (k) if yes to (j), what is the timeframe; and (l) if no to (j), why not?
raised issues regarding Fortescue Metals Group's (FMG) systematic non-compliance with the Aboriginal
Heritage Act 1972 and Mining Act 1978 , and ask: (a) is the Minister aware that FMG has engaged Extent Heritage to conduct Aboriginal
heritage surveys without informing, inviting or involving the traditional custodians
of the land, the Eastern Guruma people; (b) if no to (a), why not; (c) if yes to (a), why is this acceptable; (d) is
the Minister aware that in conducting these surveys Extent Heritage and FMG may
have entered a highly sensitive Aboriginal site restricted to initiated men
only, which is contrary to Eastern Guruma law and custom; (e) if no to (d), why not; (f) if yes to (d), why is this acceptable; (g) is
the Minister concerned that FMG, a company that purports to respect Aboriginal
people and their cultural heritage, is prepared to marginalise and show
complete disrespect to elders past and present in order to maintain their
project timeline for the construction of the Eliwana Railway, as shown by the documents I tabled with this statement; (h) if no to (g), why not; (i) if yes to (g), what action will the Minister take; (j) as a result of the statement and tabled papers, will the Minister undertake an investigation; (k) if yes to (j), what is the timeframe; and (l) if no to (j), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 March 2019
Responded by
Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Response time
9 days
(a)-(c) The process by which a heritage survey has been undertaken is taken into consideration by the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee.
(d)-(f) No.
(g)-(l) This matter is currently under investigation by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
(d)-(f) No.
(g)-(l) This matter is currently under investigation by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
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