‘Wake-up call’ on cultural heritage protection

The Northern Australia Committee has tabled the final report of its inquiry into miner Rio Tinto's destruction of caves at the Juukan Gorge in Western Australia, calling for extensive changes to protect cultural heritage. Titled A Way Forward, the report emphasises that what happened at Juukan Gorge was not unique, but an extreme example of the destruction of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage which continues to happen in this country. "The destruction of the caves was a disaster beyond reckoning for the Puutu Kunti Kurrama people and Pinikura people, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage as a whole," chair Warren Entsch said. "This disaster was a wake-up call that there are serious deficiencies in the protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage. What is needed now is a way forward, for both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and industry." The report includes a case study summary of the fate of Magazine Hill, a culturally significant site to the Waanyi people, situated on the boundaries of Century mine in North West Queensland. There is a cultural heritage management plan for the site, agreed to by the Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (the Waanyi PBC) which will result in the destruction of the hill, including an important rock shelter, after investigations showed instability due to historical mining activities. Despite the Waanyi PBC’s agreement, some members of the Waanyi community are vehemently opposed to the destruction of Magazine Hill, dissatisfied by the consultation process and the lack of consultation beyond the Waanyi PBC, the report notes. Related: Inquiry hears calls to protect cultural site at Century Mr Entsch said the significant volume of evidence received by the committee showed it was clear that extensive changes were required to ensure the protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' cultural heritage. "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been let down by the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments as well as industry," Mr Entsch said. "In making these recommendations today, the committee and I want to bring about meaningful change. Failures to protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage must stop here." The report makes eight recommendations focusing on legislative change to enhance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s cultural heritage protections. The committee found that: There is a need for an overarching Commonwealth legislative framework which should be developed through a process of co-design with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.Administration responsibility of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 should be transferred to the Minister for Indigenous Australians.There should be an Australian Government review of the Native Title Act 1993.The Australian Government should endorse and commit to implementing Dhawura Ngilan: A Vision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage in Australia.There is a need for the development of a model for cultural heritage truth telling.There is a need to establish an independent fund to administer funding of prescribed body corporates under the Native Title Act 1993. "I am very pleased with the recommendations that have been made to tackle the problem of inadequate cultural heritage protection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples," Mr Entsch said. Rio Tinto chief executive Kellie Parker said the company's determination not to repeat the events leading up to the destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters was ingrained in its actions. “Significant changes have been made at all levels of our business and this is continuing," she said. "While we are confident we have put in place the right foundations for a better future, we know we will be judged by our actions and we are determined to get it right. The important work of the committee has helped reinforce our priorities as we work to rebuild trust. “We will continue to work in close consultation with Traditional Owners to better understand and protect their cultural heritage and ensure future mining activity is done in the right way, to create meaningful social and economic benefits." Read to full copy of 'A Way Forward' HERE

‘Wake-up call’ on cultural heritage protection

Industry Queensland

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