The MCA rejects Senator Pat Dodson’s claims made last Friday at the Juukan Gorge parliamentary inquiry.
The MCA recognises the distress caused to the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura People (PKKP) by the destruction of the Juukan Gorge caves and the effect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader Australian community. The MCA is deeply sorry.
For more than two decades, Australia’s minerals industry has worked to build strong and enduring relationships with the Traditional Owners on the lands on which it operates. The industry remains committed to these relationships.
The MCA is paying close attention to the work of the committee and appreciates its important, diligent and thoughtful inquiry.
The industry will use the lessons from the committee’s findings and draw on advice from Traditional Owners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
The MCA will lead a national work program to capture, share and embed lessons across the sector.
The MCA supports modernisation of Australia’s Indigenous cultural heritage laws, including the Commonwealth-led process to support states and territories where this is needed.
It also supports improvements to ensure an equitable and stable native title system, including increased government funding and support for Traditional Owner organisations.
ends
