Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Cox, for a wide-ranging question, which in fact ranges across issues that are covered by Minister Bowen as well as by Minister Plibersek. I think you asked me that question in my capacity as the minister representing Minister Plibersek, and I'll do my best to provide answers to that extent and also provide anything I have that's relevant to the Minister Bowen's portfolio.

Perhaps we can start with the questions you put about proposals before the minister in relation to Murujuga. As I think your question implies, you're aware that there are decisions before Minister Plibersek at this time. It's not possible to comment on the specifics of those proposed projects prior to that decision being made, and it is not wise to do so. I note that Ms Plibersek is the legal decision-maker in relation to those, and she also is the legal decision-maker for a section 10 application that's been made under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act.

More generally, the government is strongly committed to protecting the Murujuga Cultural Landscape. You know, Senator, that it's a place of immense cultural and spiritual significance. It embodies thousands of years of continuous culture and practice, and the petroglyph collection there holds stories and traditions that span for more than 50,000 years. The government was proud to nominate the Murujuga Cultural Landscape for inclusion on the World Heritage list, in partnership with the Western Australian government and the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation. World Heritage listing can provide the highest global protection of this landscape, but it requires strong agreements in place to ensure the ongoing conservation of this precious place, and the Commonwealth provided $2 million to Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation to develop— (Time expired)