On Tuesday 29 June the Northern Australia Committee will be hearing from stakeholders in South Australia and Queensland – the Global Water Institute, the Queensland Government, the Nuga Nuga Aboriginal Corporation, David Noonan, the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation and Messrs Andrew and Robert Starkey.
Northern Australia Committee Chair Warren Entsch noted that the evidence gathering phase of the inquiry is drawing to a close.
‘Tomorrow we will hear from stakeholders in South Australia about the unique problems they face in protecting heritage across the vast plains of that State’s north. With that, we will have spoken to people in every jurisdiction across Australia,’ he said.
The mound springs which are of great significance to the Arabana people are at serious risk. The Arabana Aboriginal Corporation is concerned that the springs are disappearing due to the water use at BHP’s Roxby Downs Mine, which relies on the same water source as the springs.
Messrs Andrew and Robert Starkey, of the Kokatha people, have experienced significant destruction of heritage due to a Hill to Hill Transmission Line Easement which passed through a series of culturally significant sites. They are keen to share with the Committee what has happened to their country.
Nuga Nuga Aboriginal Corporation have experienced significant issues with the ‘Last Claim Standing’ of the Queensland Act due to its impact on their ability to speak for country. Despite a judicial decision in their favour the Queensland Government decided to formerly legislate the provision; to the Corporation’s dismay.
A program for the public hearing is available on the Committee’s website.
Public hearing details
Date: Tuesday, 29 June 2021
Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm AEST
Location: by video/teleconference
The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.
Further details of the inquiry, including terms of reference, can be found on the Committee’s website.
Media enquiries
Hon Warren Entsch MP, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia
warren.entsch.mp@aph.gov.au
07 4051 2220
For background information
Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4162
jscna@aph.gov.au
For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.
