Yule River, opposition to changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act -ABC

Date: 
Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Around 200 people met on the banks of the Yule River outside Port Hedland on Friday to raise concerns about a lack of community consultation around proposed amendments to the Aboriginal Heritage Act.

Interviewee: DORIS EDEN, Nyamal woman – (excerpt) is fighting for her heritage; has not been consulted over the proposed amendments; the DAA should be looking after Aboriginal people but they went on their own and set up the bill; appreciates that Member for the Pilbara Brendan Grylls has made time to visit the meeting.

Interviewee: SIMON HAWKINS, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation CEO – (excerpt) over 200 Aboriginal people have attended a bush meeting to voice their concerns about changes to the cct; there has been no consultation with grass-roots Aboriginal people in the lead-up to the proposed changes to the legislation; there is a lack of consultation built into the legislation; why are we dealing with legislation on heritage that is far different to built heritage where the protection regimes are far superior; that is wrong.

Interviewee: ANTHONY DAN, Wiradjuri person – (excerpt) it is important to have a discussion with other native title groups about the proposed changes to the act; what is proposed isn’t fair; it has been watered down so that developers can get a free run at everything; the Government seems very reluctant to have a conversation.

Interviewee: PROF PETER BETH, UWA archaeologist – (excerpt) has a long term interest in the Pilbara and WA; the Indigenous Heritage Act is being amended at the moment and there is great concern from archaeologists around the country to see that the amendments improve the act rather than diminish the protection of heritage.

Interviewee: TOOTSIE DANIEL, Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation – (excerpt) Aboriginal people need to be given a say; heritage sites are sacred to Aboriginal people; mining companies can take the land but cannot take the spirits of Aboriginal people.
Smale, a spokesman for Aboriginal Affairs Minister Peter Collier says the Minister was unable to attend Friday’s meeting due to prior engagements; a statement says the Department’s proposed changes to the act are designed to improve protection, certainty, fairness and consistency.

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