Government’s Failure to Condemn Sends Wrong Message
www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today said they are dismayed by reports that a newly discovered Aboriginal mia-mia in northern Tasmania has been vandalised and destroyed after news of its existence was revealed last week, and condemned the government for its ‘deafening silence’ on the issue.
Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that the capacity of the Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) to care for Tasmania’s heritage sites has been badly undermined by the government’s decision to slash the already threadbare PWS budget this year.
“This is terrible news, and along with the Brighton bypass debacle, it underlines the government’s failure to respect and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in Tasmania,” said Mr McKim.
“We should celebrate Aboriginal culture, and do all we can to protect it. The Premier’s failure to condemn the vandalism sends just the opposite message.”
“There is a double standard at play here. When logging equipment was vandalised recently we had Ministers out making public accusations before police had completed investigations, but in this case we have not heard a peep from a government that obviously cares more about logging machinery than Aboriginal cultural heritage.”
“The historical under-funding of the PWS, as well as the unnecessary budget cuts it received this year, means that PWS is currently unable to properly assess and care for Tasmania’s unique heritage sites.”
Mr McKim said that the destruction highlights the need for more resources for protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage, and increases in penalties for vandalism and destruction of that heritage.
“If the offenders are actually caught they will face a mere slap on the wrist as opposed to the much harsher penalties applicable for the destruction of European heritage.”
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader
