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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 1158 asked in the Legislative Council on 17 November 2022 by Hon Dr Brad Pettitt

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

WITTENOOM STEERING COMMITTEE — BANJIMA NATIVE TITLE ABORIGINAL CORPORATION

1158. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Lands:

I refer to Minister Carey's meeting with the Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation on 3 August 2022, and subsequent correspondence sent to Minister Carey's chief of staff on 17 August 2022.

(1) Has the minister or his staff since responded to BNTAC's —

(a) questions in the briefing document sent on 25 July 2022 prior to the meeting on 3 August, at which a response was promised shortly; or

(b) follow-up email sent to the minister's chief of staff on 17 August?

(2) Has an invitation to join the re-established Wittenoom steering committee been extended to BNTAC; and, if so, on what date was it sent?

(3) If no to (2), why not?

(4) Has the Wittenoom steering committee been re-established; and, if not, when can we expect this to happen?

The PRESIDENT: I was about to comment on the length of the question. I give the call to the Deputy Leader of the House.

Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:

Thanks, President. You will be pleased to know that the answer is more succinct. I answer on behalf of the Leader of the House. I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The following information is provided on behalf of the Minister for Lands.

(1)–(4) The Minister for Lands met with the Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation and advised at that time that a number of the questions related to historical actions undertaken by previous governments and ministers over many decades, which could not be responded to. Further, a large number of matters were not within the responsibility of the Minister for Lands. BNTAC was additionally advised that a number of matters were best considered as part of the Wittenoom steering committee. The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage intends to reconvene the Wittenoom steering committee in late 2022. BNTAC has been advised that it will form part of the steering committee.