Demand an end to ministerial discretion
In the Northern Territory, Garawa elder Uncle Jack Green fears that he would be "shot if he tried to pass the gate" if he tries to access the sacred sites that connects him and his Nation to culture and country.1
Why? Because multinational mining giant Glencore's McArthur River Mine — the largest lead and zinc mine in the world, sits atop Gudanji, Yanyuwa and Garawa songlines and sacred sites.
Traditional Owners already have to navigate a patchwork of state and federal legislation to protect our country and cultural heritage but one thing remains consistent amongst it all — ministerial discretion.
Ministerial discretion is the trigger that places the ability to protect our invaluable Aboriginal heritage sites in the hands of one person. And it's one of the many reasons why we need a new Federal Cultural Heritage Act that removes this discretionary power.
Traditional Owners, not politicians, should decide what cultural heritage is worth protecting. Will you sign the petition to end ministerial discretion?
Why? Because multinational mining giant Glencore's McArthur River Mine — the largest lead and zinc mine in the world, sits atop Gudanji, Yanyuwa and Garawa songlines and sacred sites.
Traditional Owners already have to navigate a patchwork of state and federal legislation to protect our country and cultural heritage but one thing remains consistent amongst it all — ministerial discretion.
Ministerial discretion is the trigger that places the ability to protect our invaluable Aboriginal heritage sites in the hands of one person. And it's one of the many reasons why we need a new Federal Cultural Heritage Act that removes this discretionary power.
Traditional Owners, not politicians, should decide what cultural heritage is worth protecting. Will you sign the petition to end ministerial discretion?
After thousands of GetUp members chipped in, we got legal advice from Greg McIntyre, S.C. He was Eddie Mabo's lawyer to look at how a robust National Heritage Act could work.
Alarmingly, he found that there are no laws at a state or federal level that can protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Here is what we need to change to make sure we have a strong National Heritage Act:
Alarmingly, he found that there are no laws at a state or federal level that can protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Here is what we need to change to make sure we have a strong National Heritage Act:
- This new law must be co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- The law must be a Federal law, not a state law to avoid confusion of who has the power
- Investment in a review of all Aboriginal Heritage areas that would turn into a national register of sacred sites
- Veto Power for Traditional Owners to refuse to permit development impacting on cultural heritage.
- Harsher penalties for corporations who destroy cultural heritage
- The Minister for Indigenous Australians should be responsible, not the Environment Minister
END MINISTERIAL DISCRETION!
We demand an urgent overhaul of the Aboriginal Heritage Act that removes ministerial discretion and strengthens the legislation so that Traditional Owners can protect country and sacred sites.
17,942 signatures
In taking action, I agree to GetUp's Privacy Policy.