25th Nov 2024, 4:28 PM – Senate Committees - Environment and Communications References Committee - Reference

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (Country Liberal Party), which means it failed.

Motion text

That the following matters be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 1 March 2025:

(a) the operation, implementation and outcomes of cultural heritage laws at the federal, state and territory levels in blocking development and locking up our country on the basis of race, with particular reference to:

(i) the declaration by the federal Minister for the Environment and Water regarding the tailings dam of the McPhillamys Gold Project under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984,

(ii) the declaration by the Victorian Government through Parks Victoria with respect to rock climbing on Mount Arapiles in the Wimmera region and in the Grampians National Park,

(iii) the closure of Mount Warning by the New South Wales Government,

(iv) the proposed closure of Kate Thanda-Lake Eyre by the South Australian Government, and

(v) any other similar declarations;

(b) the effect of any proposed, potential or existing Treaty agreements with Indigenous Australians on the operation of cultural heritage laws; and

(c) any other related matters.