Peter Garrett (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Heritage) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I think the sensitivities on matters of politicisation have been expressed fairly strongly in this chamber. In any event, let me conclude by pointing out that Labor does support this amendment. Labor recognises the importance of identifying not only those places that fall within the remit of this legislation but also places that, more generally, have significant national heritage significance and that point attention to the government’s record of protection and identification of same. I will conclude by saying that Labor does support the bill and point out the story of the Howard government’s 11 years of neglect of our heritage. Heritage is an important component of what it means to be an Australian, and it is a matter that Labor will take very seriously should it prevail at the next election.

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