2018-03-21
The Australian Greens welcome the tabling of the report into the Protection of Aboriginal rock art of the Burrup Peninsula which was referred to inquiry over one year ago.
“The Burrup Peninsula is the most incredible living art gallery containing millions of petroglyphs that record human occupation of this area for up to 40,000 years, Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia said today.
“This is the world’s oldest and largest living cultural rock art gallery with more than a million carvings. It has the oldest known carvings of the human face in the world.
“It is a site unlike anywhere else in the world and we as Australians should be proud of the heritage and knowledge that this place stores.
“Concerns about impacts of the industrial emissions from industrial plants on the Burrup were outlined at length during committee hearings.
“The committee heard that the emissions monitoring process was flawed as is the report on which the conditions for the TANPF plant were based. The total emission load for existing industries has not been adequately quantified and measured to determine environmental and public health impacts of current emissions.
“The exposure of significant flaws in previous rock art monitoring programs, and new research showing the damage that industrial emissions is having on rock surfaces within the industrial estate must lead to immediate and urgent action.
“The Burrup Peninsula was assessed as meriting World Heritage listing in the 1980’s and the Australian Greens have recommended that the WA Government and the Federal Government in consultation with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation seek the listing of the Burrup on Australia’s tentative World Heritage List.
“We need a monitoring program that is fit for purpose as a matter of urgency and the West Australian and Federal Governments must both shoulder responsibility and work to protect this national treasure.”
Media Release Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues