PILBARA TRADITIONAL OWNERS DISAPPOINTED BY GOVERNMENT'S HERITAGE BACKFLIP

BY MARION CHEEDY AND GERARD MAZZA

Raylene Button. Credit: Supplied.

Pilbara Traditional Owners have shared their disappointment and anger at the WA state government for Its decision to revoke the 2021 Aboriginal Heritage Act.

On Tuesday, Premier Roger Cook announced the Act would be scrapped and amended 1972 legislation reinstalled.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC)’s Pilbara Regional Committee met on Wednesday to discuss the government’s sudden change of course.

Committee member and Kariyarra leader Raylene Button said YMAC was calling for a moratorium on all activity that could affect heritage in the Pilbara.

“We’re all angry and frustrated, but also, we’re worried about what’s going to transpire with our heritage.

“No heritage is to be touched or destroyed until the state government comes and sits at the table with the Pilbara Aboriginal people.”

Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura Aboriginal Corporation (PKKP) is the Native Title body for Traditional Owners of the Juukan Gorge caves destroyed by Rio Tinto in 2020.

PKKP’s Lands and Heritage Manager Dr Jordan Ralph said the organisation’s members were “disappointed” by the decision.

“We’re just back at square one,” he said.

“I think the Traditional Owners thought they were going to have a bit more support from the government, but now they’re back having to do all the work themselves again and fight for their own country.”