The West Australian Government’s decision to scrap its controversial Cultural Heritage Laws is a win for common sense.
They were a massive overreach in reaction to the horrific destruction of sacred sites by mining giant Rio Tinto at Juukan Gorge in WA’s Pilbara region in 2020.
Make no mistake, Rio Tinto’s actions were abhorrent, and the punishments should have been understandably severe, but the state government’s reaction was a classic case of overreach that would have had severe ramifications on not just farmers, but on all WA citizens.
Under the proposed rules that came into effect on July 1, landholders with properties bigger than 1100 square metres would have required a cultural survey any time they were planning on digging a hole more than 50 centimetres or lifting more than 20 kilograms of dirt, with surveys expected to cost between $120 to $160 an hour or $1200 a day, plus travel expenses.
This would have been grossly unfair, especially to farmers who have a strong record of treating sacred cultural sites with the greatest respect.
So, WA Premier Roger Cook’s announcement that the laws would be scrapped was very much welcome by farmers across WA and it is indeed pleasing to know The Nationals played a major role in helping reach this outcome. However, the work is not done yet.
It is now critical that we ensure the Federal Labor Government guarantees that it will not introduce national Cultural Heritage laws that mandate landholders to undertake cultural surveys.Authorised by David Littleproud, Warwick, Queensland
WA’s decision should be a big lesson to the Albanese government not to impose these laws because while everyone wants to protect our cultural heritage, these types of laws significantly interfere with people’s ability to make a living. And unless this government can make that guarantee, the uncertainty and anxiety that has been felt in WA will extend across the country.
I call on the Prime Minister to make that guarantee and give landholders across the country that piece of mind.
