❓ Mr. Rundle questions the Premier about concerns regarding the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act's implementation, citing feedback from various sectors. The Premier defends the government's collaborative approach and downplays the severity of concerns.
AnsweredQoN 405Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ABORIGINAL CULTURAL
HERITAGE ACT — IMPLEMENTATION
405. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I refer to the Aboriginal Cultural
Heritage Act and the Premier's comments in question time last week that
the opposition was dog whistling to those stakeholders and industry groups —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr
P.J. RUNDLE : — that have
raised reasonable concerns about the implementation of the act. Given
representatives from the Aboriginal community, property sector,
agriculture sector and mining sector have all publicly raised their concerns
about the regulations and readiness of government and stakeholders for the 1 July
start date, does the Premier now concede that the opposition is accurately
reflecting the concerns of the community?
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please.
HERITAGE ACT — IMPLEMENTATION
405. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I refer to the Aboriginal Cultural
Heritage Act and the Premier's comments in question time last week that
the opposition was dog whistling to those stakeholders and industry groups —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr
P.J. RUNDLE : — that have
raised reasonable concerns about the implementation of the act. Given
representatives from the Aboriginal community, property sector,
agriculture sector and mining sector have all publicly raised their concerns
about the regulations and readiness of government and stakeholders for the 1 July
start date, does the Premier now concede that the opposition is accurately
reflecting the concerns of the community?
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please.
AnswerView source ↗
I will allow the opposition to
reflect on its own motives in relation to its questions; that is not
necessarily for me to do. Obviously, people have made observations in relation
to that. We are working collaboratively in partnership with all industry
groups, including members of the community at large, to make sure that we
continue to answer any questions and ensure that these laws are implemented as
smoothly as possible. We have had community forums in Merredin, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Esperance—right around
the state—to ensure that we can answer everyone's questions. The feedback I get from a lot of people
at these forums is that they get to the end and go, ''Oh; was that i t?
There's nothing to be worried about then really, is there?'' No,
there is not. One person's concern was: ''I'm anxious
that I haven't been doing enough previously under the old Aboriginal
Heritage Act and maybe I had undertaken tasks potentially outside the bounds of
that act as well.'' I think people are bringing the right attitude to
this debate. We will continue to work with them. Obviously, any new laws raise
questions in people's minds about the way it is implemented. Any new
laws potentially raise some anxieties about questions that people might have,
which is why we are here to answer their questions—and will continue to
do so.
As to the member's
motivations for inciting some of the tone in relation to this matter, I will
leave it up to the member to examine his own conscience.
reflect on its own motives in relation to its questions; that is not
necessarily for me to do. Obviously, people have made observations in relation
to that. We are working collaboratively in partnership with all industry
groups, including members of the community at large, to make sure that we
continue to answer any questions and ensure that these laws are implemented as
smoothly as possible. We have had community forums in Merredin, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Esperance—right around
the state—to ensure that we can answer everyone's questions. The feedback I get from a lot of people
at these forums is that they get to the end and go, ''Oh; was that i t?
There's nothing to be worried about then really, is there?'' No,
there is not. One person's concern was: ''I'm anxious
that I haven't been doing enough previously under the old Aboriginal
Heritage Act and maybe I had undertaken tasks potentially outside the bounds of
that act as well.'' I think people are bringing the right attitude to
this debate. We will continue to work with them. Obviously, any new laws raise
questions in people's minds about the way it is implemented. Any new
laws potentially raise some anxieties about questions that people might have,
which is why we are here to answer their questions—and will continue to
do so.
As to the member's
motivations for inciting some of the tone in relation to this matter, I will
leave it up to the member to examine his own conscience.
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