Answers to Questions

APY LANDS

In reply to the Hon. R.D. LAWSON (5 June 2008).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy): The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation has provided the following information:

The then Executive Director, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division, Department of the Premier and Cabinet Ms Joslene Mazel, travelled to the APY Lands on 27 May 2008 in the course of her duties to undertake consultation with APY communities on the $25 million housing package on offer from the Commonwealth.

This was sufficient to entitle her to enter the lands.

The APY Executive were advised that Ms Mazel would be visiting the APY Lands to meet community councils and attend the APY Special General Meeting, held on 28-29 May 2008, to discuss the housing package. Departmental records indicate that Ms Mazel had been invited by APY to do so.

It has been a long-standing practice of courtesy that public servants attending on the APY Lands in the course of their duties have applied for an entry permit to APY, notwithstanding that a permit is not required. Ms Mazel, pursuant to that practice, applied for a permit early in 2008. She received a 12-month permit on 18 June 2008. Agencies have been requested to continue this practice.