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Aboriginal Heritage


Aboriginal Flag

Jaensch Must Listen to Aboriginal Community

The government’s planned changes to the Aboriginal Lands Act are disrespectful and misguided

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  8 Aug 2023


House of Assembly, Tasmania

Aboriginal Affairs – Aboriginal Heritage Council

Did the meeting on 26 May even go ahead? What's happened to the Aboriginal Heritage Council?

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  7 Jun 2023


Parliament House, Tasmania

Aboriginal Affairs – Aboriginal Heritage Protection

Surely, your first purpose as minister should be to listen to and respect the need of Aboriginal people.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  7 Jun 2023


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Infrastructure and Transport – Aboriginal Heritage

We understand from the 2010 Kingston bypass report that there's also a significant amount of Aboriginal heritage.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Jun 2023


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Takayna Being Trashed on Jaensch’s Watch 

The takayna coast is lutruwita’s richest, most significant Aboriginal cultural heritage landscape and among the world’s most significant archaeological sites.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  14 Apr 2023


Wind Farm

Questions Remain Over Renewable Energy Zones

Governments can do this without putting endangered species, fragile biodiverse ecosystems, and Aboriginal heritage at risk.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  21 Dec 2022


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Nature Conservation Act 2002 - Approval of Proclamations

The point is, we are not here speaking for ourselves. We are here on behalf of ALCT bringing their concerns to this place.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Oct 2022


Lower Chasm Falls, Smoko Creek, in the Great Western Tiers, Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area

Nature Conservation Act 2002 - Approval of Proclamations

The whole process in relation to this proclamation has been disrespectful of Tasmanian Aboriginal people and disrespectful of the Aboriginal Land Council.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Oct 2022


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kooparoona niara - Aboriginal National Park

In March last year the Aboriginal Land Council formally claimed ownership of the kooparoona niara-Great Western Tiers area.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Oct 2022


Halls Island on Lake Malbena, Walls of Jerusalem Nationa Park, Tasmania

Wilderness Defenders Will Never Give Up on Lake Malbena

Overwhelmingly, Tasmanians don’t support privatisation of protected areas and they reject what this opportunist developer is offering.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  21 Sep 2022


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Land Returns - Greens MPI

After the report on truth telling and treaty from Professors Warner and McCormack it's well understood Aboriginal people in lutruwita need much more than words.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  16 Jun 2022


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Aboriginal Land Handbacks - Greens MPI

It is 17 years since the last lands were returned to Tasmanian Aboriginal people.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  16 Jun 2022


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Aboriginal Land Council - Return of Lands in World Heritage Area

Will you show the Government is serious about the return of lands and commit yourself and the Premier to sitting down with the Aboriginal Land Council?

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  16 Jun 2022


Halls Island on Lake Malbena, Walls of Jerusalem Nationa Park, Tasmania

Estimates Reply - Petrusma

Today I will mostly focus on the Parks area of minister Petrusma's multiple portfolios.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  15 Jun 2022


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Greens Move to Disallow kooparoona niara Proclamation

The path to reconciliation has been slow, painful and full of disappointment for Aboriginal Tasmanians.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  16 Jun 2022


South Coast Track Luxury Lodge Development - Aboriginal Heritage Report

In my hand is a right to information document that is 738 pages long with 658 pages, unsurprisingly, fully redacted.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 May 2022


Secrets in the Southwest

A recently released Right to Information (RTI) request reveals the secrecy over Expressions of Interest (EOI) proposals continues unabated.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  25 May 2022


South Coast Track - Proposed Development

The South Coast Track is a heartland of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  10 Mar 2022


Liberals Must Rule Out Public Money to Experience Co’s South Coast Track Luxury Development

Experience Co, has confirmed a draft Reserve Activity Assessment to develop five star luxury lodges along the South Coast Track has been submitted to Parks.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  10 Mar 2022


Lower Chasm Falls, Smoko Creek, in the Great Western Tiers, Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area

TWWHA Cultural Assessment

A damning decision by UNESCO in 2021 into the state of conservation of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area was quietly published on DPIPWE's website.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  3 Mar 2022


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Greens Mourn Invasion Day with Tasmanian Aboriginal People

On this day across the nation, Aboriginal people mourn the loss of their country.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  26 Jan 2022


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Greens Welcome Pathway to Truth-Telling and Treaty Report

The generational grief, deep wounds and enduring dispossession of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people have been acknowledged by the Tasmanian Parliament today.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  25 Nov 2021


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Parks - Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area

There's $10 million, I understand, put into the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area and stopping four wheel drives from trashing that unique heritage.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  9 Sep 2021


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Takayna Tracks Decision at Last

The Gutwein Government has finally decided not to press ahead with reopening three four wheel drive tracks in takayna/Tarkine

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  9 Aug 2021


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Liberals Must Publicly Commit to Close takayna Tracks

Being non-committal about the need to protect tens of thousands of years of Aboriginal heritage is not good enough.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  16 Jul 2021


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Takayna Tracks Decision

After five years of stress for Aboriginal Tasmanians, and half a million dollars of public money down the drain on court costs, the takayna coast is safe.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  15 Jul 2021


kunanyi / Mount Wellington

RMPAT Exposes MWCC’s Disregard for Aboriginal Heritage on kunanyi and Process

The Resource Management Planning Appeal Tribunal’s rejection of the appeal by the Mount Wellington Cableway Company (MWCC) is welcome.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  23 Feb 2021


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Gutwein Government Quietly Reverses Road Plan Over palawa Mass Grave

A hugely significant Aboriginal cultural heritage site, and suspected scene of a colonial massacre, will be protected from road expansion plans.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  14 Jan 2021


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Infrastructure and Transport – Eaglehawk Neck Road Widening

We understand the road widening works at Eaglehawk Neck will impact on a quite ancient Aboriginal burial site.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Nov 2020


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Veterans' Affairs - Eaglehawk Neck Aboriginal Grave Site

The proposed land for road widening at Eaglehawk Neck includes what is potentially the site of Tasmanian's largest massacre of lutruwita's First Peoples.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Nov 2020


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Aboriginal Affairs – Wirksworth Heritage Site

Aboriginal Heritage Council says heritage is being potentially destroyed at Wirksworth.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Nov 2020


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Housing – Wirksworth Estate and Aboriginal Heritage

A statement that was issued by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Heritage Council on 20 November unanimously opposing the permit application.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Nov 2020


takayna / tarkine, Tasmania

Treasury – Takayna/Tarkine Tracks

At the end of NAIDOC Week when we looked in the Budget papers we saw a $300 000 allocation to advance the tracks through the Tarkine.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  23 Nov 2020


Aboriginal Flag

House of Assembly Supports Greens’ Move to Fly Aboriginal Flag Over Parliament

In a rare show of unanimity, the House of Assembly has supported a Greens’ Motion to permanently fly the Aboriginal flag over Parliament.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  11 Nov 2020


Aboriginal Flag

A Premier Serious About Resetting the Relationship Will Walk Away from Tarkine Tracks

It’s encouraging to hear Premier Gutwein sound genuine about reconciliation and land returns for this island’s First People.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  11 Jun 2020


Aboriginal Flag

Gutwein Must Step Up in National Reconciliation Week

After six years in government, no real progress has been made on returning land to Tasmanian Aboriginal people. 

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  29 May 2020


Aboriginal Flag

Aboriginal Place Names Usage

Premier, on 26 January 2015 as the newly minted premier, or relatively so, you promised to reset the relationship with Aboriginal Tasmanians.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  11 Sep 2019


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Lake Malbena - Risks to Aboriginal Heritage

Today, hundreds of Tasmanians will gather in Town Hall in opposition to the proposal to build permanent huts in Lake Malbena.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Nov 2018


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Wilderness Lost and Heritage at Risk if Lake Malbena Proposal Proceeds

The case against the proposal for helicopter-accessed luxury huts at Lake Malbena in the World Heritage Area grows stronger by the day.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  26 Nov 2018


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takayna/Tarkine - Opening of Four-wheel Drive Tracks

The Government's plan to re-open tracks through Aboriginal heritage in the takayna/Tarkine has been dealt a major blow by the federal environment department.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  17 Oct 2017


Aboriginal Flag

takayna/Tarkine - Four-Wheel Drive Tracks

The recent bid to reopen four-wheel-drive tracks in the takayna/Tarkine details a host of major earthworks, rehabilitation and other engineering.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  13 Sep 2017


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Tarkine - Opening of Four-wheel Drive Tracks

Respected Aboriginal heritage expert Rocky Sainty has described the move to reopen four-wheel drive tracks as a deplorable intention.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  12 Sep 2017


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Tarkine - Opening of Four-wheel Drive Tracks

Rocky Sainty this morning sent out a statement condemning the Premier's decision to seek Commonwealth approval to reopen tracks in the Tarkine.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  12 Sep 2017


Aboriginal Flag

Protection of Aboriginal Heritage

The establishment of this panel represents an important opportunity for healing and to improve outcomes for Tasmania's Aboriginal people.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  9 Aug 2017


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Reckless, Desperate Liberals No Respect for Aboriginal Heritage

The Premier is more concerned about the Liberals' prospects in Braddon than he is about 'resetting the relationship' with the Aboriginal community.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  9 Sep 2017


Aboriginal Flag

Liberals Show Two Faces on Aboriginal Heritage

The bill tabled in Parliament today is both a lost opportunity and a clear sign that the Liberals wear two faces on Aboriginal heritage issues.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  15 Mar 2017


Shaking Hands

Coordinator-General's Secret Deals on Swansea Development

There has been much criticism from the Greens and of course members of the Opposition about the Office of the Coordinator-General and the role it plays.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  21 Sep 2016


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Tarkine Decision Gives Hodgman an Out

Today's Federal Court decision gives Premier Hodgman the opportunity to do the right thing and pull out of the case to reopen Tarkine tracks.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  16 Sep 2016


kunanyi / Mount Wellington

Cable Car Will Be Tested by Planning Commission

It is almost certain that the proposed Mount Wellington Cable Car will be declared a Project of State Significance (POSS).

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  8 Aug 2016


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Hypocrisy from Premier on Aboriginal Heritage

The Premier rightly condemned the vandalism of priceless Aboriginal rock art, yet is fighting in the courts for vandalism to continue in the Tarkine.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 May 2016


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Liberals Determined to Damage and Divide on Aboriginal Heritage

Tasmanian taxpayers will fork out for expensive lawyers to support the Hodgman Government’s bid to persuade the full bench of the Federal Court.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  22 Mar 2016


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Liberals Slapped Down by Federal Court on takayna/Tarkine Tracks

The Hodgman Liberals have been embarrassed by the Federal Court's upholding of the ban on re-opening off-road vehicle tracks along the takayna/Tarkine coast.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  1 Mar 2016


Aboriginal Flag

Premier Needs to Resist Caving to Pressure over Tarkine Tracks

If the Premier is serious about resetting the relationship with Aboriginal Tasmanians he will resist pressure from a noisy minority to reopen Tarkine tracks.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  20 Feb 2016


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Premier Should Give Lapoinya a Christmas Reprieve

Now is the time for the Premier to step in and give those who have been fighting for the Lapoinya forest the gift of a Christmas reprieve.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  17 Dec 2015


Log Pile at the Port of Burnie, Tasmania

Lapoinya Logging

Forestry Tasmania are still intent on logging Coupe FD053 at Lapoinya in the State’s north west.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Aug 2015


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Heritage No Excuse for Logging the TWWHA

Senator Colbeck's comments supporting selective logging in the World Heritage Area are offensive, and use of heritage as a transparent disguise is laughable.

Andrea Dawkins  |  Media Release  |  7 Jul 2015


takayna / tarkine, Tasmania

Tarkine 4WD Travesty

Premier Will Hodgman must immediately halt his government's plan to reopen 4WD tracks in the Tarkine.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  8 Dec 2014


takayna / tarkine, Tasmania

Arthur-Pieman Tracks

The government's decision to reopen 4WD tracks in the Arthur Pieman Conservation Area will threaten Aboriginal heritage and a fragile coastal ecology.

Nick Mckim  |  Media Release  |  10 Nov 2014