Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Senator Abetz. My question relates to the application by the Wong-Goo-Tt-Oo Native Title Group under sections 9 and 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act for both an emergency declaration over Pluto area B on the Burrup and to have the area declared a significant Aboriginal area. When does the minister intend to make a decision relating to the application? Will the area be protected while the minister is making a decision?

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In flicking through the briefs that I have been given, I did not come across one that was headed Pluto area B, so I indicate to the senator that undoubtedly, because she has a keen interest in the matter, I will seek advice from my colleague, the relevant minister, and will come back with an answer for her.

Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I thank the minister for that and ask a supplementary question. I am disappointed that the department does not think that the Burrup is significant enough to provide a brief on. I ask him then to take a question on notice. Is the minister aware that the WA EPA has given permission for preliminary works to be undertaken on Pluto area B and that this could start any day? Will the minister ensure that any work that is undertaken does not affect cultural material on Pluto area B until after his deliberation in respect of sections 9 and 10 applications?

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I should not have been surprised that the honourable senator would ask me about Pluto because the Greens spend most of their time in outer space. Having said that, I will seriously take the supplementary question on notice and get back to her with an answer in relation to that as well.