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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-07-01 Daily Xml
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Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL (14:59): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation a question on the nuclear royal commission.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL: A number of individuals and community groups have been critical of the nuclear royal commission's engagement with Aboriginal communities. Clearly these communities are likely to be amongst the most directly affected by any expansion of the nuclear industry, whether it be uranium mining, nuclear power or a nuclear waste dump.

These criticisms have included the lack of any materials produced in Aboriginal languages, and also the requirement for submissions to the royal commission to be sworn before a JP. Whilst the commissioner, Mr Kevin Scarce, has visited some Aboriginal communities and offered a relaxation of the strict requirements for evidence, there is still a great deal of concern that many in Aboriginal communities will be excluded from meaningful participation in the royal commission process. My question is: as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, what assistance have you or your department provided to Aboriginal communities to assist them in engaging with the royal commission process?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:00): I thank the honourable member for his very important question and his interest in both matters nuclear and Aboriginal affairs. Certainly, we have had a number of requests to us from Aboriginal communities, particularly remote Aboriginal communities, about how that community may engage with the royal commission. I know the department has held discussions with members of the team from the royal commission about the best way to engage Aboriginal communities.

I know that whenever possible we have provided assistance for Aboriginal communities, particularly Maralinga Tjarutja, who—people know the history of the atomic testing in that area—were very, very severely affected by an element of the nuclear industry in the past. I think we have recognised that that is a very special case in South Australia. Certainly, help and assistance have been provided, I know for certain for Maralinga Tjarutja, but I know there have been requests for the best way to access the royal commission from other Aboriginal communities and I know the Department for Aboriginal Affairs has provided help and assistance wherever possible.

The PRESIDENT: The honourable and very dapper Mr McLachlan.

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