Traditional owners in the Pilbara pass a motion of no-confidence in the Western Australian Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Hon. Peter Collier, after he declined to attend an on-country bush meeting to inform traditional owners about proposed changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act .The changes would effectively strip away protection for Aboriginal people’s heritage throughout the State.
The amendments are inconsistent with both the Commonwealth Native Title and Racial Discrimination Acts; under section 18 of the Act. Under the changes a developer proposing to destroy an Aboriginal site has a right of appeal to the Minister, whereas the Aboriginal custodians of the site do not.
The community is unified in opposition to the amendment and the Yule River meeting of traditional owners is attended by 350 traditional owners representing almost every family group in the Pilbara is a huge show of strength.
