Latest news with #AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderHeritageProtectionAct
Perth Now
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Court battle to protect ancient rock art heats up
The time it has taken for the federal environment minister to consider an application to protect Indigenous rock art has "grossly exceeded" what is reasonable, a court has been told. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper submitted an application under Section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act in February 2022, in a bid to protect her Country in Western Australia's Pilbara region. The area, known as the Burrup Peninsula, or Murujuga, contains some of the world's oldest and largest petroglyphs. Ms Cooper has long opposed Woodside's North West Shelf extension, and other industrial developments in the area, fearing for the future of this unique collection of rock art. In May, Ms Cooper launched action in the Federal Court to compel Environment Minister Murray Watt to consider her Section 10 application. The action came a week before Mr Watt granted interim approval of the North West Shelf extension until 2070, which was met with opposition from environmental groups and Traditional Owners. On Wednesday, lawyers for Ms Cooper told the Federal Court in Sydney there has still not been a decision made on Ms Cooper's application, more than three years after it was first lodged. "It is plain, almost beyond argument that three-and-half years grossly exceeds a reasonable for the making of that decision," they said. Ms Cooper's lawyers said a report prepared for then-federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek was met with a period of "outwardly facing inactivity". While the report found there was no conclusive evidence that industrial emissions were harming the ancient petroglyphs at Murujuga, it did make a number of recommendations to protect Indigenous heritage in the area. One of the recommendations was fertiliser developer Perdaman should drop plans for a causeway across the site of its urea plant in the area. Ms Cooper's lawyers said while the environment minister had this report, the Western Australian government had given the green light for the construction of this causeway and construction was underway. "At a bare minimum ... it was unreasonable not to have made a decision for so long that the very thing that was presenting a threat, identified quite clearly by the reporter, was able to occur and largely be completed," they said. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Court battle to protect ancient rock art heats up
The time it has taken for the federal environment minister to consider an application to protect Indigenous rock art has "grossly exceeded" what is reasonable, a court has been told. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper submitted an application under Section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act in February 2022, in a bid to protect her Country in Western Australia's Pilbara region. The area, known as the Burrup Peninsula, or Murujuga, contains some of the world's oldest and largest petroglyphs. Ms Cooper has long opposed Woodside's North West Shelf extension, and other industrial developments in the area, fearing for the future of this unique collection of rock art. In May, Ms Cooper launched action in the Federal Court to compel Environment Minister Murray Watt to consider her Section 10 application. The action came a week before Mr Watt granted interim approval of the North West Shelf extension until 2070, which was met with opposition from environmental groups and Traditional Owners. On Wednesday, lawyers for Ms Cooper told the Federal Court in Sydney there has still not been a decision made on Ms Cooper's application, more than three years after it was first lodged. "It is plain, almost beyond argument that three-and-half years grossly exceeds a reasonable for the making of that decision," they said. Ms Cooper's lawyers said a report prepared for then-federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek was met with a period of "outwardly facing inactivity". While the report found there was no conclusive evidence that industrial emissions were harming the ancient petroglyphs at Murujuga, it did make a number of recommendations to protect Indigenous heritage in the area. One of the recommendations was fertiliser developer Perdaman should drop plans for a causeway across the site of its urea plant in the area. Ms Cooper's lawyers said while the environment minister had this report, the Western Australian government had given the green light for the construction of this causeway and construction was underway. "At a bare minimum ... it was unreasonable not to have made a decision for so long that the very thing that was presenting a threat, identified quite clearly by the reporter, was able to occur and largely be completed," they said. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 The time it has taken for the federal environment minister to consider an application to protect Indigenous rock art has "grossly exceeded" what is reasonable, a court has been told. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper submitted an application under Section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act in February 2022, in a bid to protect her Country in Western Australia's Pilbara region. The area, known as the Burrup Peninsula, or Murujuga, contains some of the world's oldest and largest petroglyphs. Ms Cooper has long opposed Woodside's North West Shelf extension, and other industrial developments in the area, fearing for the future of this unique collection of rock art. In May, Ms Cooper launched action in the Federal Court to compel Environment Minister Murray Watt to consider her Section 10 application. The action came a week before Mr Watt granted interim approval of the North West Shelf extension until 2070, which was met with opposition from environmental groups and Traditional Owners. On Wednesday, lawyers for Ms Cooper told the Federal Court in Sydney there has still not been a decision made on Ms Cooper's application, more than three years after it was first lodged. "It is plain, almost beyond argument that three-and-half years grossly exceeds a reasonable for the making of that decision," they said. Ms Cooper's lawyers said a report prepared for then-federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek was met with a period of "outwardly facing inactivity". While the report found there was no conclusive evidence that industrial emissions were harming the ancient petroglyphs at Murujuga, it did make a number of recommendations to protect Indigenous heritage in the area. One of the recommendations was fertiliser developer Perdaman should drop plans for a causeway across the site of its urea plant in the area. Ms Cooper's lawyers said while the environment minister had this report, the Western Australian government had given the green light for the construction of this causeway and construction was underway. "At a bare minimum ... it was unreasonable not to have made a decision for so long that the very thing that was presenting a threat, identified quite clearly by the reporter, was able to occur and largely be completed," they said. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 The time it has taken for the federal environment minister to consider an application to protect Indigenous rock art has "grossly exceeded" what is reasonable, a court has been told. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper submitted an application under Section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act in February 2022, in a bid to protect her Country in Western Australia's Pilbara region. The area, known as the Burrup Peninsula, or Murujuga, contains some of the world's oldest and largest petroglyphs. Ms Cooper has long opposed Woodside's North West Shelf extension, and other industrial developments in the area, fearing for the future of this unique collection of rock art. In May, Ms Cooper launched action in the Federal Court to compel Environment Minister Murray Watt to consider her Section 10 application. The action came a week before Mr Watt granted interim approval of the North West Shelf extension until 2070, which was met with opposition from environmental groups and Traditional Owners. On Wednesday, lawyers for Ms Cooper told the Federal Court in Sydney there has still not been a decision made on Ms Cooper's application, more than three years after it was first lodged. "It is plain, almost beyond argument that three-and-half years grossly exceeds a reasonable for the making of that decision," they said. Ms Cooper's lawyers said a report prepared for then-federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek was met with a period of "outwardly facing inactivity". While the report found there was no conclusive evidence that industrial emissions were harming the ancient petroglyphs at Murujuga, it did make a number of recommendations to protect Indigenous heritage in the area. One of the recommendations was fertiliser developer Perdaman should drop plans for a causeway across the site of its urea plant in the area. Ms Cooper's lawyers said while the environment minister had this report, the Western Australian government had given the green light for the construction of this causeway and construction was underway. "At a bare minimum ... it was unreasonable not to have made a decision for so long that the very thing that was presenting a threat, identified quite clearly by the reporter, was able to occur and largely be completed," they said. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 The time it has taken for the federal environment minister to consider an application to protect Indigenous rock art has "grossly exceeded" what is reasonable, a court has been told. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper submitted an application under Section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act in February 2022, in a bid to protect her Country in Western Australia's Pilbara region. The area, known as the Burrup Peninsula, or Murujuga, contains some of the world's oldest and largest petroglyphs. Ms Cooper has long opposed Woodside's North West Shelf extension, and other industrial developments in the area, fearing for the future of this unique collection of rock art. In May, Ms Cooper launched action in the Federal Court to compel Environment Minister Murray Watt to consider her Section 10 application. The action came a week before Mr Watt granted interim approval of the North West Shelf extension until 2070, which was met with opposition from environmental groups and Traditional Owners. On Wednesday, lawyers for Ms Cooper told the Federal Court in Sydney there has still not been a decision made on Ms Cooper's application, more than three years after it was first lodged. "It is plain, almost beyond argument that three-and-half years grossly exceeds a reasonable for the making of that decision," they said. Ms Cooper's lawyers said a report prepared for then-federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek was met with a period of "outwardly facing inactivity". While the report found there was no conclusive evidence that industrial emissions were harming the ancient petroglyphs at Murujuga, it did make a number of recommendations to protect Indigenous heritage in the area. One of the recommendations was fertiliser developer Perdaman should drop plans for a causeway across the site of its urea plant in the area. Ms Cooper's lawyers said while the environment minister had this report, the Western Australian government had given the green light for the construction of this causeway and construction was underway. "At a bare minimum ... it was unreasonable not to have made a decision for so long that the very thing that was presenting a threat, identified quite clearly by the reporter, was able to occur and largely be completed," they said. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
Time of India
05-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Brisbane Olympics: Australia's indigenous group opposes construction of stadium costing Rs 215.56 crore
Brisbane Olympics (Image via X) A legal challenge has been launched by an Indigenous group in Australia to halt the construction of a new 63,000-seat stadium for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics on land they say is culturally and ecologically significant. The Yagara Magandjin Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC), in collaboration with the Save Victoria Park group, has formally requested federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to protect Brisbane's Victoria Park under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Victoria Park, a 60-hectare green space in inner Brisbane, was named in March as the proposed site for the A$3.8 billion stadium (Australian dollar), which will host the opening and closing ceremonies of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. YMAC spokeswoman Gaja Kerry Charlton emphasised the area's deep cultural value. 'We are very concerned there are ancient trees, artefacts and very important ecosystems existing there. There may be ancestral remains,' she said, as quoted by BBC. 'Victoria Park is of great significance and history for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.' A spokesperson for the federal government confirmed that the heritage protection application has been received and is currently under review. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo The environment department is expected to follow standard procedures, including consultations with all relevant parties, including the Queensland government. Controversy around Olympic infrastructure planning in Queensland has grown over recent years. The initial bid, led by former Labor premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, included redeveloping the Gabba at a cost of A$3bn—an unpopular move among residents. Her successor, Steven Miles, dropped that plan amid a cost-of-living crisis, opting instead to upgrade existing venues. However, after a change in government, new premier David Crisafulli reversed course and backed a new stadium at Victoria Park. He also introduced legislation to exempt Olympic venues from regular planning regulations to speed up development. The proposal has drawn criticism from Indigenous communities and local residents, with concerns over the potential loss of green space and damage to sacred heritage sites. Poll Do you support the construction of the new stadium at Victoria Park for the Brisbane Olympics? Yes, it will boost the economy. No, it threatens cultural heritage. Despite the opposition, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said there was 'strong support' for the stadium and expected efforts to block the project. 'Ultimately, this is going to happen,' he said. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Sydney Morning Herald
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
WA news LIVE: Woodside's controversial North West Shelf proposal faces new hurdle
Latest posts Latest posts 9.30am Woodside's controversial North West Shelf proposal faces new hurdle By Hamish Hastie Woodside's North West Shelf proposal faces another hurdle with a Burrup Hub traditional owner launching a fresh legal challenge over the impact to the Murujuga rock art gallery. Loading Lawyers for Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper launched challenge in Federal Court in Sydney this week in an attempt to compel new Environment Minister Murray Watt to make a determination on a legal request she made in 2022 under Aboriginal heritage laws to protect the Murujuga rock art. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act section 10 application was initially made to former Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek but now rests with Watt. Cooper's request gives Watt the power to enforce protections of areas with significant Aboriginal cultural heritage but the federal Labor government had not acted on it. Cooper said she wanted Watt to act on her request before deciding on Woodside's North West Shelf proposal, which is expected before May 31. 'Today I am commencing proceedings in the Federal Court to force Environment Minister Murray Watt to address my application for protection of the Murujuga rock art under Section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Heritage Protection Act,' she said. 'I originally brought this application in early 2022 when I learned how my cultural heritage would be affected if industry was allowed to continue expanding on Murujuga, including Woodside's North West Shelf extension. 'Many hundreds of people and organisations made submissions in support of my application for urgent protection of this area. 'That was three years ago. For their entire first term, Labor have ignored my application while the devastation to my cultural heritage has continued on Murujuga. 'I am sickened that the minster would make such a decision without even paying us the respect of coming here to meet with the Custodians of this place, and without even seeing the incredible Murujuga rock art with his own eyes.' Across the nation and around the world Here's what's making headlines today: Nationals leader David Littleproud was preparing to dump former leaders Michael McCormack and Barnaby Joyce from his front bench on Thursday, but is now facing questions about his future after the pair worked with Liberal leader Sussan Ley to pressure him into reopening Coalition talks. The ABC has copped a lot of flak from the conservative side of politics in the past decade. But 7.30 anchor Sarah Ferguson and breakfast host Bridget Brennan have unwittingly become mediators who helped Nationals leader David Littleproud and Liberal leader Sussan Ley see eye to eye. Jim Chalmers' plan to raise extra tax out of superannuation funds with more than $3 million will hit hundreds of thousands of young people while enticing them to sink more cash into trusts, one of the country's leading tax experts has warned. Property investors priced out of the city are flocking to far-flung regional towns in search of more affordable homes and attractive rental returns. Rapper Scott 'Kid Cudi' Mescudi testified at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex-trafficking trial that the hip-hop mogul broke into his home in 2011 after discovering Mescudi was dating his on-and-off girlfriend Casandra Ventura. At least two people onboard a private plane were killed when it crashed into a San Diego military housing neighbourhood during foggy weather.
The Age
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
WA news LIVE: Woodside's controversial North West Shelf proposal faces new hurdle
Latest posts Latest posts 9.30am Woodside's controversial North West Shelf proposal faces new hurdle By Hamish Hastie Woodside's North West Shelf proposal faces another hurdle with a Burrup Hub traditional owner launching a fresh legal challenge over the impact to the Murujuga rock art gallery. Loading Lawyers for Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper launched challenge in Federal Court in Sydney this week in an attempt to compel new Environment Minister Murray Watt to make a determination on a legal request she made in 2022 under Aboriginal heritage laws to protect the Murujuga rock art. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act section 10 application was initially made to former Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek but now rests with Watt. Cooper's request gives Watt the power to enforce protections of areas with significant Aboriginal cultural heritage but the federal Labor government had not acted on it. Cooper said she wanted Watt to act on her request before deciding on Woodside's North West Shelf proposal, which is expected before May 31. 'Today I am commencing proceedings in the Federal Court to force Environment Minister Murray Watt to address my application for protection of the Murujuga rock art under Section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Heritage Protection Act,' she said. 'I originally brought this application in early 2022 when I learned how my cultural heritage would be affected if industry was allowed to continue expanding on Murujuga, including Woodside's North West Shelf extension. 'Many hundreds of people and organisations made submissions in support of my application for urgent protection of this area. 'That was three years ago. For their entire first term, Labor have ignored my application while the devastation to my cultural heritage has continued on Murujuga. 'I am sickened that the minster would make such a decision without even paying us the respect of coming here to meet with the Custodians of this place, and without even seeing the incredible Murujuga rock art with his own eyes.' Across the nation and around the world Here's what's making headlines today: Nationals leader David Littleproud was preparing to dump former leaders Michael McCormack and Barnaby Joyce from his front bench on Thursday, but is now facing questions about his future after the pair worked with Liberal leader Sussan Ley to pressure him into reopening Coalition talks. The ABC has copped a lot of flak from the conservative side of politics in the past decade. But 7.30 anchor Sarah Ferguson and breakfast host Bridget Brennan have unwittingly become mediators who helped Nationals leader David Littleproud and Liberal leader Sussan Ley see eye to eye. Jim Chalmers' plan to raise extra tax out of superannuation funds with more than $3 million will hit hundreds of thousands of young people while enticing them to sink more cash into trusts, one of the country's leading tax experts has warned. Property investors priced out of the city are flocking to far-flung regional towns in search of more affordable homes and attractive rental returns. Rapper Scott 'Kid Cudi' Mescudi testified at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex-trafficking trial that the hip-hop mogul broke into his home in 2011 after discovering Mescudi was dating his on-and-off girlfriend Casandra Ventura. At least two people onboard a private plane were killed when it crashed into a San Diego military housing neighbourhood during foggy weather.
