Call for Police Inquiry into 4WD Damage
The Tasmanian Greens today condemned recent acts of vandalism to Aboriginal heritage sites in the Tarkine.
Greens Member for Braddon Paul O’Halloran MP scalled for an urgent police investigation into damage inflicted by illegal use of off road vehicles on the site of a former coastal settlement at West Point containing middens and hut depressions.
“The Greens would like to extend our deepest sympathies to members of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community for this illegal and callous act,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“Anyone who thinks they have a right to tear up an heritage-listed Aboriginal site using a quad bike or four-wheel-drive over site is a criminal, pure and simple.”
“We are often told that it’s only a minority of bad apples who are doing most of the damage, but that is not an excuse for letting these reckless criminals off the hook.”
“We know that a track management plan is currently in place to protect Aboriginal heritage sites, but it is clear that not everybody is happy to comply.”
“It’s clear that rules aren’t being enforced, and that more resources are needed for policing and prosecuting people who trash ancient heritage.”
“We cannot afford to let an area continue to be trashed that is regarded as one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites, and that has ongoing cultural significance for the Aboriginal community today.”
“This is an illegal act that needs to be formally investigated by the police, because until there are prosecutions that people will get the message.”
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Member for Braddon
