- Media Release
Reform needed to build confidence in cultural heritage after abuse by taxpayer-funded activists
Aboriginal cultural heritage is too important to be exploited through tactics that lack rigour, transparency or cultural authority.
New analysis from Professor Emeritus of Government at the University of Tasmania Aynsley Kellow, released today by the Institute of Public Affairs, exposes how activist groups – including the taxpayer-funded Environmental Defenders Office – have misused cultural heritage claims to delay or block major resources projects.
This flagrant abuse of cultural heritage sidelines recognised Traditional Owner organisations, fractures community relationships and destabilises investment in regions that rely on long-life economic activity including mining operations.
A stronger approach to heritage integrity which cracks down on bogus claims must be complemented by approvals systems that allow critical minerals and major minerals projects to move from approval to construction in commercially realistic timeframes.
Regional jobs, local businesses and essential community services depend on a higher level of sustained investment confidence.
Reform of the Native Title Act future acts framework is also essential to create proportionate, fit-for-purpose agreement pathways – from short-form agreements for exploration to comprehensive agreements for development and operations – which enable long-term economic participation for Traditional Owners while preventing activist lawfare from derailing culturally legitimate processes.
The MCA will continue working with the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance, governments and industry partners to support reforms that restore confidence, protect cultural legitimacy and strengthen the approvals, heritage and native title systems that underpin Australia’s economic and social wellbeing.
All Australians should be able to have confidence in a framework that respects culture and supports responsible development, instead of a system vulnerable to misuse by taxpayer-funded activists who deny regional communities and Traditional Owners the economic, employment and social opportunities they desire.