[Greens-Media] Campbell's delay will allow Rock Art destruction

[Ludlam, Scott (Sen R. Siewert)]

Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens Senator for WA

Friday, 29 September 2006
Campbell's delay will allow Rock Art destruction

The announcement by the Environment and Heritage Minister that he will
delay the decision on heritage listing of ancient petroglyphs on the
Burrup peninsula leaves the sites unprotected, according to Senator
Siewert.

"The Minister is failing in his responsibility to protect this unique
rock art. The delay leaves the area unprotected while the State
government continues to facilitate industrial development on the
peninsula."

"How much more rock art will we lose in the meantime?"

The Minister should Heritage list the peninsula now, and then carry out
further consultation on how best to allow the gas development to proceed
elsewhere. 
"The Minister already has all the information he needs to make a
heritage listing, and the art on the threatened Pluto site is well
documented," she said. "There is no dispute about the national and
international significance of the site."

"The only reason to delay is to dodge political responsibility for
protecting the rock art" said Senator Siewert.

"It is a cheap and unnecessary trick. The development could easily take
place on the Northwest shelf site, where the rock art has already been
destroyed."
"He is washing his hands of making a timely decision," said Senator
Siewert.


For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025
Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au  |  http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au