Media Releases
Paula Wriedt, MHA
Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment
Wednesday, 22 November 2006
Tasmanian Aboriginal Heritage Legislation Consultation Package
Tasmanians are being encouraged to take part in new consultation for Aboriginal Heritage legislation.
The Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt, said today she is proud to release a new consultation package for public discussion and encourages all Tasmanians to participate in the development of legislation to protect Tasmania's Aboriginal heritage.
"Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage is irreplaceable and its ongoing protection is the responsibility of all Tasmanians," Ms Wriedt said.
"Protection through contemporary legislation is an essential means of ensuring this precious asset is passed on to future generations".
Ms Wriedt said the proposed legislation may have an affect on many people in the Tasmanian community, making it important to gather a full range of comments to help create effective and balanced legislation.
"We want to develop legislation that protects Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage, empowers the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, and provides certainty and clarity for all Tasmanians," Ms Wriedt said.
This will be the second of three opportunities for the public and interest groups to give their views. The consultation package builds on key concepts previously raised by business groups, peak bodies, community organisations and concerned individuals.
Ms Wriedt urged members of the community to read the information sheets in the consultation package and comment on the concepts presented.
To encourage discussion, public forums will be held in Launceston, Flinders Island, Burnie, Strahan, and Hobart. Further information on the forums can be found in the consultation package.
People can access the consultation package and prior comments on-line at www.tahl.tas.gov.au, or by writing to the project team at the Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania, Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts, PO Box 771, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001.
"Comments by interest groups and the general public will be used to establish a preferred Government position on protecting Aboriginal heritage," she said.
Comments on the consultation package should be made to the project team before 22 December 2006.
Further information: Shaun Rigby on 0438021936
