Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Hansard source

I am so delighted to get this question! In fact, I was getting a little bit worried that we weren't going to go back here today, so thank you! I have made it superclear each day I've been asked this. We are not about to adopt WA laws or the laws of any state or territory. We are about reforming our cultural heritage laws as a Commonwealth government, in the same way that those opposite were previously in favour of doing this important work. I have to say: credit where credit is due. The former minister for the environment began this work.

A government member: Yes, she did. Well done!

She did begin this work, and she made some very important statements about this. She said in 2021, more than two years ago:

In the wake of the destruction of Indigenous sites at Juukan, we have commenced work with state governments and territories, and Traditional Owners to highlight the need for the modernisation of Indigenous heritage protection laws.

Opposition me mbers interjecting—

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