APY LANDS, DISPUTE RESOLUTION

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:52): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation a question regarding dispute resolution on the APY lands.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: On 23 September in this place I asked the minister when a panel for conciliation would be appointed to address issues of conflict resolution on APY lands. That position has currently been vacant since 2010. The minister in his response said, 'I am currently in the process of appointing a conciliation panel right at this very minute'. My questions to the minister are: when did you commence the process of appointing a conciliation panel; when will you announce the conciliation panel; and how will Anangu be able to access these conciliators and facts?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for her very polite and important questions. At least it did not lead off with a claim of dereliction of duty this time, which I am very grateful for. I am aware of a request for the appointment of a conciliator under sections 35 and 36 of the APY act to appeal against three resolutions.

The Hon. T.A. Franks: You are aware. What about Caica and Portolesi, were they aware?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: The honourable member wants to answer her own questions, so perhaps I will sit down and let her do so.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Well, if the honourable member likes to take that advice, Mr Ridgway, I will be very pleased. I can advise the council, as I have done previously, that the process I entered into has now been finalised. I have now made offers of appointment to five people to be conciliators. Those people were endorsed by an executive meeting of the APY executive, I think on 9 October. That panel of five conciliators includes two females and three male members, and I signed those letters, I believe, yesterday. The APY panel of conciliators include the Hon. Dr Robyn Layton, Ms Louise Sylvan, Mr Grant Niemann, Mr Greg Rooney and Mr Simon Lane. I am advised that all have extensive experience in mediation and also in Aboriginal affairs.