Dr WOODRUFF question to MINISTER for ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS, Mr JAENSCH
You have launched a draft West Coast Off Road Vehicle Strategy within the Western Tasmania Aboriginal Cultural Landscape (tbc) and Arthur‑Pieman Conservation Area. This is a precious place of deep spiritual significance for palawa‑pakana. It is a millennia‑old cultural landscape replete with living sites, hut depressions and petroglyphs. Your draft strategy is basically a marketing plan for four-wheel drive tourists from the mainland. It will expand developments and driving in a highly sensitive heritage area.
You have agreed in parliament previously that our existing Aboriginal heritage protection laws are ineffective. Why have you not first reviewed the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area and waited for the Aboriginal Heritage Act to be fixed?
So that Aboriginal heritage will not be trashed on your watch, will you refer any road upgrades or on‑ground works to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) for assessment?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. As the member would be aware, the matter of management of the Arthur‑Pieman Conservation Area and the tracks project is the responsibility of the minister for Parks, Mr Duigan.
Madam SPEAKER – Do you wish to refer the question?
Mr JAENSCH – In terms of Aboriginal –
Madam SPEAKER – Sorry, can I just ask members if they wish to refer the question to the appropriate minister?
Mr JAENSCH – I would like to address another element of the question.
Madam SPEAKER – Okay; normally you would refer it or you would not, but I will allow it for this one. We will need to tidy up the referring for questions.
Dr Woodruff – This is about Aboriginal heritage assessment.
Mr JAENSCH – I just need to confirm, Madam Speaker, that Aboriginal heritage is protected by law. All works and any works arising from the plan and the maintenance of infrastructure and tracks in the Arthur‑Pieman Conservation Area will be subject to the same permits and assessments as anywhere in Tasmania.
Dr Woodruff – EPBC? A supplementary question, minister.
Madam SPEAKER – Before you do, the minister is approaching the chair to add to the answer. We will come back to a supplementary, if necessary, Leader of the Greens.
Mr DUIGAN – I thank the member for the question and, yes, indeed, the West Coast Off Road Vehicle Strategy draft is out for consultation as we speak.
It is an important stage in the process. As you rightly point out, it is an area that is rich in cultural heritage, and it is an area that provides a great deal of recreational satisfaction for people who choose to use it for such. For government, our challenge is to strike the right balance between those, at times, competing objectives.
The draft strategy is focused on developing a sustainable management outcome for off‑road vehicle use and delivering an improved user experience for visitors to the Arthur‑Pieman Conservation Area and the broader west coast. Of course, there has been a great deal of consultation with Aboriginal groups through the development of the draft.
Dr Woodruff – The question is about the EPBC assessment.
Madam SPEAKER – I will draw the minister to the question about EPBC referrals, please.
Dr Woodruff – Will you refer it?
Madam SPEAKER – Thank you, Leader of the Greens.
Mr DUIGAN – Certainly we are out for draft, and I encourage people who are interested in the issue –
Madam SPEAKER – Sorry, minister, could you actually answer the question in the seven seconds you have left?
Mr DUIGAN – I encourage people who are interested in this to have their say now. The draft is out for consultation.
Madam SPEAKER – The minister’s time has expired.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – I have spoken to many members of the Aboriginal community. They have asked me to ask this question. Will you refer this to the EPBC for assessment?
Madam SPEAKER – You need to actually address the supplementary. I will allow the supplementary because it was the original question.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER – Interjections on my right and on my left will cease.
Mr DUIGAN – As has been the point put forward by my colleague, this will go through the normal approval process.
Dr Woodruff – EPBC?
Mr DUIGAN – If it is referred, that is where it will go. If it is not, it will not.
Dr Woodruff – Will you refer it? You are the minister.
Madam SPEAKER – Leader of the Greens, you will have an opportunity to ask another question.
