❓ Hon Stephen Dawson questions the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs regarding alleged unreported mining activity by Focus Minerals Ltd at a registered Aboriginal heritage site (ID 1568) and seeks assurance of compliance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The Minister denies prior knowledge and refers the matter for investigation.
AnsweredQoN 446Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FOCUS
MINERALS LTD — ABORIGINAL HERITAGE SITE
446. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer to the
mining operation by Focus Minerals Ltd known as Big Blow, which is south east
of Coolgardie.
(1) Is the
minister aware that significant mining activity has occurred at the state
heritage site—registered Aboriginal site ID 1568—and has not
been reported by the company to the relevant authorities?
(2) Given that
the breach was reported to the company at least three weeks ago, has the
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs' office been informed of the breach;
and, if not, why not?
(3) What
action will the minister take to ensure the spirit of the Western Australian
Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 is complied with by this company?
(4) Does the
minister intend to report this breach to all relevant authorities including the
Department of Mines and Petroleum and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs for
urgent action?
MINERALS LTD — ABORIGINAL HERITAGE SITE
446. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer to the
mining operation by Focus Minerals Ltd known as Big Blow, which is south east
of Coolgardie.
(1) Is the
minister aware that significant mining activity has occurred at the state
heritage site—registered Aboriginal site ID 1568—and has not
been reported by the company to the relevant authorities?
(2) Given that
the breach was reported to the company at least three weeks ago, has the
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs' office been informed of the breach;
and, if not, why not?
(3) What
action will the minister take to ensure the spirit of the Western Australian
Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 is complied with by this company?
(4) Does the
minister intend to report this breach to all relevant authorities including the
Department of Mines and Petroleum and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs for
urgent action?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question. I provide
the following response on behalf of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
(1) No.
(2) Neither
the minister nor the Department of Aboriginal Affairs has been informed of the
alleged breach.
(3)–(4)
The minister has referred this matter to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs
and requested that it investigate the alleged breach as a matter of priority.
the following response on behalf of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
(1) No.
(2) Neither
the minister nor the Department of Aboriginal Affairs has been informed of the
alleged breach.
(3)–(4)
The minister has referred this matter to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs
and requested that it investigate the alleged breach as a matter of priority.
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