❓ Question regarding consultation with the Mindibungu Aboriginal Corporation about a feral horse cull at Lake Gregory. The Minister's response details consultations with other relevant bodies and traditional owners who endorsed the cull.
AnsweredQoN 1661Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Minister’s comments in the Legislative Council on 31 October 2013 that the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and the Aboriginal Lands Trust had consulted with the Mindibungu Aboriginal Corporation about the management of feral horses at Lake Gregory, and ask: (a) did the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and the Aboriginal Lands Trust consult with the Mindibungu Aboriginal Corporation about the proposed cull of feral horses which took place in October 2013; (b) if yes to (a), on what date(s) did consultation take place; (c) if yes to (a), how many individuals from the Mindibungu Aboriginal Corporation were present during these consultations; (d) if yes to (a) what were the names of the individuals from the Mindibungu Aboriginal Corporation which were present during these consultations; and (e) what is the Minister’s response to claims by the Mindibungu Aboriginal Corporation that none of the traditional owners had been consulted about the proposed cull?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 March 2014
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Response time
29 days
(a) Yes.
(b) - (e) At a site visit on 6 November 2012, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs was advised by the then Chief Executive Officer of Mindibungu Aboriginal Corporation, Mr Kimberley Morrish, that the Corporation had decided that it would not get involved in the pastoral lease business and the pastoral corporation.
A Department of Aboriginal Affairs officer travelled to the Mulan and Billiluna communities on 24 October 2013 to provide the communities with information regarding the proposed cull. Signs were posted around the communities and cull area.
It should be noted that the Tjurabalan Prescribed Body Corporate is the community elected representative body and holder of native title interests of the Traditional Owners of the Lake Gregory area. It is comprised of elected elders from the main communities in the area, including Mulan and Billiluna communities. The Tjurabalan Prescribed Body Corporate formally endorsed the cull to proceed at their meeting on 12 November 2012.
In addition, a Traditional Owner elected Paruku Indigenous Protected Area Steering Committee, formally endorsed the cull to proceed at their meeting on 21 August 2012. This committee is comprised of over 23 elders from Mulan, Billiluna and Sturt Creek.
On 21 August 2013, the Kimberley Land Council, on behalf of the Kimberly Land Council board, the Tjurabalan Traditional Owners and the Paruku Indigenous Protected Area steering committee wrote to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs requesting that the WA Government proceed immediately with the horse cull around the Paruku Indigenous Protected Area, which covers the Lake Gregory and Billiluna pastoral leases.
(b) - (e) At a site visit on 6 November 2012, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs was advised by the then Chief Executive Officer of Mindibungu Aboriginal Corporation, Mr Kimberley Morrish, that the Corporation had decided that it would not get involved in the pastoral lease business and the pastoral corporation.
A Department of Aboriginal Affairs officer travelled to the Mulan and Billiluna communities on 24 October 2013 to provide the communities with information regarding the proposed cull. Signs were posted around the communities and cull area.
It should be noted that the Tjurabalan Prescribed Body Corporate is the community elected representative body and holder of native title interests of the Traditional Owners of the Lake Gregory area. It is comprised of elected elders from the main communities in the area, including Mulan and Billiluna communities. The Tjurabalan Prescribed Body Corporate formally endorsed the cull to proceed at their meeting on 12 November 2012.
In addition, a Traditional Owner elected Paruku Indigenous Protected Area Steering Committee, formally endorsed the cull to proceed at their meeting on 21 August 2012. This committee is comprised of over 23 elders from Mulan, Billiluna and Sturt Creek.
On 21 August 2013, the Kimberley Land Council, on behalf of the Kimberly Land Council board, the Tjurabalan Traditional Owners and the Paruku Indigenous Protected Area steering committee wrote to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs requesting that the WA Government proceed immediately with the horse cull around the Paruku Indigenous Protected Area, which covers the Lake Gregory and Billiluna pastoral leases.
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