The Federal Government has responded to the report issued by the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia titled: Final report into the destruction of Indigenous heritage sites at Juukan Gorge, stating it will introduce legislate new protections for Indigenous heritage sites.
The government will also outlaw the use of gag clauses in agreements between mining companies and traditional owners.
Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA CEO Rebecca Tomkinson said the WA resources sector has a deep respect for Indigenous peoples and country.
“We are committed to continuing to build strong relationships, partnering and providing opportunities for Indigenous businesses and groups and working directly with Indigenous Australians on our sites throughout the regions where we operate.
“CME and its member companies will review the response from the Commonwealth Government, alongside our ongoing review and respond to the recommendations delivered in the two Inquiry reports.
“CME and the WA mining and resources sector continue to support the review of relevant Commonwealth legislation to ensure modernisation and alignment of Aboriginal cultural heritage protections, where required, at both a State and Federal level.”
Minerals Council of Australia Chief Executive Officer Tania Constable said since Rio Tinto’s destruction of a sacred rock shelter at Juukan Gorge in Western Australia in 2020, the Australian minerals industry has been listening, embedding lessons and taking action, working hard to re-gain the confidence and trust of Traditional Custodians and their communities.
“The minerals industry has been working individually and collectively to strengthen agreement making and heritage protection processes.
“It has been taking meaningful steps to ensure culturally safe workplaces where the voices of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members and leaders are heard and acknowledged.
“Now, more than ever, the nation needs a strong mining industry that benefits all Australians. In particular, the first Australians.”
However, Mardudhunera woman Raelene Cooper, a Murujuga traditional custodian and spokeswoman for Save our Songlines, said similar destruction to what occurred at Juukan Gorge is still happening.
“The desecration of Murujuga is happening right now under the exact same weak laws that allowed Juukan Gorge to be destroyed.
“The Minister has a chance to step in and offer real protection in response to our Section 10 application.
“How the Minister addresses our concerns will be the test to see if things have really changed when it comes to protecting First Nations heritage.
“More than 750 submissions have already been made as part of the Section 10 process, including detailed scientific submissions from experts whose latest research provides timely evidence of the significant damage being done to our sacred Murujuga rock art by emissions from these plants.”