Miners, WA tell Albanese to butt out of Aboriginal heritage
Mining exploration companies and West Australian Premier Roger Cook have warned the Albanese government not to double up on Aboriginal heritage laws that have caused widespread uncertainty and concern in the state responsible for the bulk of the nation’s mineral and LNG exports.
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies’ warning comes as the WA Labor government prepares to walk back Aboriginal heritage laws that have been linked to poor poll results for Mr Cook.
WA premier Roger Cook. Colin Murty
Speaking in iron ore export epicentre Port Hedland this week, Mr Cook said there was no need for the Albanese government to duplicate or add to Aboriginal heritage legislation in place in WA.
“We don’t see a need to duplicate those laws at the commonwealth level. We believe that the state government is in the best position to have these laws in place and make them workable for the WA community,” he said.
The association said its members strongly opposed the extension or duplication of the WA legislation at a federal level.
“WA’s new Aboriginal cultural heritage laws are far-reaching and the most demanding of any in Australia,” AMEC chief executive Warren Pearce said.
Mr Cook, who replaced Mark McGowan as premier in June, said his government was willing to change its laws if needed. A major overhaul is now imminent after a backlash led by the farming community and behind-closed-door lobbying by the resources industry.
A poll released days earlier shows the beleaguered WA Liberal Party had shot to a two-party preferred lead over Labor. The same poll showed a clear majority opposed the new heritage laws and that 58 per cent of West Australians intended to vote No in the referendum on an Indigenous voice to federal
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