❓ Hon Neil Thomson questions the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs regarding the scope, support, funding, and progress of the review into native title and cultural heritage processes, particularly concerning impacts on small landholders and a promised heritage study for farmers.
AnsweredQoN 578Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Native title and cultural heritage processes review
578. Hon Neil Thomson to
the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer to question without
notice 370, answered on 18 June 2025, in which the minister indicated that the
focus of the review into native title and Aboriginal heritage will be on mining
and exploration activities.
(1) When can other affected parties such as owners
and land managers of small semirural blocks on our urban fringe and on farms
expect to have their concerns addressed by the state government regarding the
cost and uncertainty of obtaining approvals?
(2) Who else is supporting the review, which I
understand is being led by Mr Glen Kelly?
(3) How much funding is being allocated to this
review?
(4) What progress has been made on undertaking a
broadly based Aboriginal heritage study, which was promised to farmers shortly
after the disastrous Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
Act 2023 was repealed?
578. Hon Neil Thomson to
the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer to question without
notice 370, answered on 18 June 2025, in which the minister indicated that the
focus of the review into native title and Aboriginal heritage will be on mining
and exploration activities.
(1) When can other affected parties such as owners
and land managers of small semirural blocks on our urban fringe and on farms
expect to have their concerns addressed by the state government regarding the
cost and uncertainty of obtaining approvals?
(2) Who else is supporting the review, which I
understand is being led by Mr Glen Kelly?
(3) How much funding is being allocated to this
review?
(4) What progress has been made on undertaking a
broadly based Aboriginal heritage study, which was promised to farmers shortly
after the disastrous Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
Act 2023 was repealed?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
(1) Though the terms of reference are focused on
mining and exploration, the review will consider the efficiency, effectiveness
and equity of consultation processes under the Aboriginal
Heritage Act 1972 , which apply to all land users.
(2) The Department of the Premier and Cabinet is
leading the review, supported by Mr Glen Kelly of the National Native Title
Tribunal.
(3) The Department of the Premier and Cabinet will
meet the costs of the review.
(4) The minister is not aware of what the
honourable member is referring to. The state government listened to community
feedback, including the concerns raised by farmers, and repealed the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 , restoring
the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 with
targeted amendments.
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
(1) Though the terms of reference are focused on
mining and exploration, the review will consider the efficiency, effectiveness
and equity of consultation processes under the Aboriginal
Heritage Act 1972 , which apply to all land users.
(2) The Department of the Premier and Cabinet is
leading the review, supported by Mr Glen Kelly of the National Native Title
Tribunal.
(3) The Department of the Premier and Cabinet will
meet the costs of the review.
(4) The minister is not aware of what the
honourable member is referring to. The state government listened to community
feedback, including the concerns raised by farmers, and repealed the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 , restoring
the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 with
targeted amendments.
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