Legislative Council, Thursday 8 September 2022

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE CONCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

The Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC) is calling on the Government to commence an inquiry to review the historical evidence and the statements made by the Hobart City Council, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre and the Tasmanian Aboriginal Land Council regarding the actions of William Crowther and others in respect to the circumstances surrounding William Lanne's skull, using evidence provided by appropriate experts in their field.

Furthermore, CHAC is calling for an inquiry into how the remains of an unknown person specimen XXX2, University of Edinburgh - came to be approved by the government of the day to be buried on the north-west coast of Tasmania by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre under what CHAC members believe is the false identity of William Lanne, according to credible evidence they have received.

My questions are to the Leader:

(1) Will the Government commit to an inquiry into these matters? If so, who will the Government engage to undertake the inquiry who can be considered appropriate experts in the field?

(2) Why is the Government not acting to protect from destruction a priceless Aboriginal relic that the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre intends to bury on the north-west coast of Tasmania when such burial may contravene the Aboriginal Heritage Act, despite CHAC's written request to intervene?

ANSWER

I thank the member for her questions.

(1) I am advised the University of Edinburgh repatriated human remains to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre in 1991. The minister is also advised it is international and national best practice that the repatriation of Aboriginal cultural heritage - including human remains - by institutions, such as universities and museums to Aboriginal people be unconditional. Further, the Government has been advised, that in a general sense, repatriation processes follow a rigorous approach by both the institutions and the Aboriginal people involved, including evidence to support the repatriation of remains to their place of origin.

On this basis, the Government acknowledges the concerns and the positions of the Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation and CHAC board of directors on the matters raised. However, the Government is not of the view these matters would benefit from a formal inquiry or intervention at this time.

(2) The Tasmanian Government recognises the significance and the importance of the petroglyphs of all Tasmanian Aboriginal people. The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery apply for Aboriginal heritage permits to repatriate petroglyphs taken from Preminghana in the 1950s and 1960s. Preminghana is Aboriginal land and the title holder is the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania. Permits were subsequently issued for the relocation of the petroglyphs by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in November 2020 as per the requirements of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1975. The Tasmanian Government acknowledges it is nationally accepted that materials recognised as spiritually and culturally important, or acquired in an unethical way should be returned to their rightful owners unconditionally. Upon signing the permits, the Tasmanian Government reiterated it stands ready to provide support as needed to ensure the petroglyphs are safely returned, protected, and managed for the benefits of all Tasmanian Aboriginal People. Our position has not changed.