Despite Aborigines having created, maintained and protected their own heritage over thousands of generations, the Tasmanian Government will soon release its own plans to maintain full ownership and control over any process or laws relating to Aboriginal heritage in Lutruwita / Tasmania.
“The ongoing control of Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage is key to the Liberal government’s view that Aboriginal heritage is nothing more than an obstacle to development,” said Nala Mansell, Campaign Coordinator for the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre.
“More than 80 different ancient and irreplaceable Aboriginal heritage sites across Lutruwita have been destroyed by the Liberal Government in the past three years alone. The Government applies to its own department for a “permit to destroy” before the minister signs off and developments go ahead with Aborigines none the wiser.
“Of these 80 sites to have recently been destroyed, the government’s hand-picked advisory group disagreed with just three, yet all three protection requests were overruled by the Minister.
“Aborigines are not against development. We are willing to sit down and negotiate a way forward for developments and heritage protection but so far, our demands for involvement, collaboration or a seat at the table have been ignored,” said Ms Mansell.
