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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 657 asked in the Legislative Council on 17 October 2013 by Hon Lynn Maclaren

Parliament: 39 Session: 1

BURU — NYIKINA MANGALA COMPLAINT

657. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:

I am asking this question on behalf of Hon Robin Chapple, who is away on urgent parliamentary business.

I refer to the article in the Koori Mail of Wednesday, 31 October 2012, titled ''Aboriginal fears stop oil project''.

(1) On what date was the complaint by the Nyikina Mangala lodged with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs?

(2) Has the investigation been concluded?

(3) If yes to (2), what were the findings of that investigation?

(4) If no to (2), why not?

(5) If no to (2), when will the investigation be concluded?

(6) If yes to (2) and if the archaeological site was found to be destroyed, what action has been taken against Buru for this breach of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972?

Hon PETER COLLIER replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.

(1) 25 October 2012.

(2) Yes.

(3) The investigation concluded that the two mesas known as the Blue Hills are likely to be sacred sites under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, and these sites have not been disturbed. There is not sufficient evidence to determine that the place where the artefacts were located is a heritage site to which the act applies. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs is confident that there has not been a breach of the act and, therefore, it is not in the public interest to pursue prosecution.

(4)–(6) Not applicable.