[Greens-Media] Government commits to Aboriginal cultural heritage legislation

[David Shoebridge]

Government commits to Aboriginal cultural heritage legislation
Media Release – 16 October 2012 
 
The Greens NSW have welcomed the commitment of the Heritage Minister in
NSW Budget Estimates to developing stand-alone Aboriginal cultural
heritage legislation, but say questions remain over whether Aboriginal
people will be given control over their heritage.
 
Greens NSW Heritage spokesperson David Shoebridge said:
 
"The Greens welcome Minister Parkers' commitment to remove the
administration of Aboriginal cultural heritage from the National Parks
and Wildlife Act. 
 
"It should never have been there in the first place.
 
"The real question now is whether the government will retain its
support for Aboriginal Knowledge Keepers and Traditional Owners to have
final decision making power over activities which will impact on
Aboriginal cultural heritage.
 
"Minister Parker also revealed in Budget Estimates that within weeks
the government will receive a report with recommendations regarding the
management and administration of Aboriginal cultural heritage.
 
"One of the key issues to be resolved is whether a stand-alone body
will be established to administer Aboriginal cultural heritage, with
Knowledge Keepers the primary decision-makers, or if the government will
repeat the mistakes of the past by keeping control firmly in the hands
of the state.
 
"The Greens are calling on the government to give recognition and
respect to Aboriginal people's rights as custodians of Aboriginal
culture heritage and country. 
 
"The best way to do this is to return decision-making power over
Aboriginal cultural heritage to Aboriginal people. 
 
"The Greens have asked questions on notice to get to the bottom of the
government's intentions in relation to Aboriginal cultural heritage and
maintain pressure on the government to do the right thing," Mr
Shoebridge said.
 
Read the full transcript of the Budget Estimates hearing here:
http://parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/18037D15B508EA7ACA257A85002400B1

Read the Greens NSW Heritage Policy here:
http://nsw.greens.org.au/policies/heritage 
 
Media contact:  Mark Riboldi 0433 753 376
 
 

Mark Riboldi
Communications & Policy 
Office of Greens NSW MP David Shoebridge
P: (02) 9230 3030|M: 0433 753 376|T: @thebigriboldi (
http://twitter.com/#!/thebigriboldi )
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