A large number stakeholders, including those who signed the letter, doubt the authority of the Aboriginal advisory panel. The group board was due to face elections last year. However, the process was delayed by COVID-19 health restrictions
Michael Taylor, a recognized traditional owner under a 2015 native titleBarkindji prescribed corp. An organisation created to manage and protect the rights and interests of native title-holders had not received any communication from the minister about the decision. The minister and the advisory group did not inform the Barkindji body corporate. They were not invited to the announcement in Mungo National Park earlier this year.
Robert Kelly conducts a smoking ritual as Environment Minister Sussan Lee makes the burial announcement.
We were completely left out of the entire process. We never get emails or calls. We don’t know what the reason is. Taylor says they have no respect for their traditional owners.
Bowler described the Aboriginal advisory committee as a closed group that excludes scientific input.
A small group of AAG members has refused to recognize the central importance of the natural heritage. Bowler says that the inscriptions were based on cultural and natural heritage. However, the natural heritage has been completely forgotten.
Loading
The letter was also signed by Uncle Roy Kennedy, senior elder of Ngiyampaa and Mark Bretsnieder. Mutthi Mutthi elder Uncle Daniel Kelly, and his son Jason Kelly are other signatories. Uncle Roy is a former member. advisory groupUncle Daniel and Jason Kelly claim they were forcibly expelled from the group in 2021.
Patsy Winch, chair of the advisory group, and Dan Rosendahl (executive officer of the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area), were contacted for comment.
Minister Leys office states that an extensive public consult was conducted in accordance the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
A spokesperson says that the process will also protect the rights of traditional owners to make future decisions in respect of the remains, including future scientific examination or alternative burial processes into the future.
Jacqueline Maley cuts through noise of federal election campaign with news views and expert analysis. Register for our Australia Votes 2022 Newsletter here.
