Aboriginal cultural heritage laws abolished in Western Australia: Prime Minister Roger Cook apologizes for ‘stress and confusion’
Aboriginal cultural heritage laws abolished in Western Australia: Prime Minister Roger Cook apologizes for ‘stress and confusion’
- WA dumps new laws introduced July 1
- Prime Minister admits laws went too far
- Denies being pressured by the federal government
Western Australia has scrapped the new Aboriginal heritage laws introduced just weeks ago.
Prime Minister Roger Cook acknowledged on Tuesday that the amended Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act “went too far”, sparking widespread public outcry.
He admitted his government’s legislative response was “wrong” and apologized for the “stress, confusion and division” caused in the community.
The new law is abolished and the 1972 law is reinstated with “simple and effective changes.”
Amendments to the 51-year-old laws will be considered in state parliament later on Tuesday.
“The decision was not taken lightly. It was created based on the best legal advice and after detailed discussion and analysis of the many options,” Cook said.
WA Prime Minister Roger Cook has abolished the state’s controversial new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act laws, sparking widespread outrage and confusion
“Today’s announcement is about listening to the people of Western Australia.
“It’s about carefully considering the circumstances ahead.”
‘It is important that all property owners can continue to operate and manage their property.
“Just as they have done in recent years, without any fear of unknowingly disrupting cultural heritage sites.”
The prime minister denied that he had been pressured by the federal government to waive the new laws
“What I’m trying to do is make sure we’re a government that listens … Listen to the concerns of the community,” Cook added.
Roger Cook denied being pressured by the federal government to scrap the new laws. On the photo Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Garma Festival in East Arnhem
The surprise backflip follows the WA government’s briefing with major resource companies and indigenous groups last week.
The new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act laws came into effect on July 1, after the WA government resisted calls from pastoralists and the opposition to delay their implementation.
WA’s previous laws dated back to the 1970s, notably allowing the state’s Minister of Aboriginal Affairs to authorize land users to disrupt cultural heritage sites.
Rio Tinto received ministerial approval in 2020 when it blew up the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge rock shelters, sparking global condemnation and devastating traditional owners.
Work on the laws began when Rio Tinto destroyed the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge rock shelters in 2020, sparking a global controversy
The new system had done away with the Section 18 approval process and emphasized agreements between land users and traditional owners.
But there were major concerns about compliance requirements, some of which were made clear just days before the laws came into effect.
“The Juukan Gorge tragedy was a global embarrassment to Australia, something had to be done,” Cook told reporters on Tuesday.
“But our legislative response was wrong.”
Together with the industry, a fairer, simpler model would be established in the coming weeks.
“The concept of Local Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Services or LACHS will not continue,” he said.
The government will also conduct periodic surveys of unsurveyed areas in high priority areas of the state over the next ten years, with the consent of the landowners.