Protect Indigenous Heritage sites in Western Australia

We are all people who take a keen interest in Indigenous affairs, Aboriginal heritage and culture. The proposed changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act (AHA) make it even less effective than the current Act in protecting Aboriginal sites. ‘Efficiency’ and ‘certainty’ will be provided, but only for the benefit of the mining industry. All over the world various nations celebrate and preserve their cultural heritage. In England they have Stonehenge which has been confirmed to be a burial site. It dates back 4,000 years and is a must see tourist destination. Australia’s Aboriginal Heritage sites date back over 80,000 years, making Stonehenge seem young in comparison. The fact that our Government allows these sites to be destroyed is totally unacceptable; it would be equivalent to bulldozing the pyramids. Any Changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act should be to create further protection, not make it easy for mining companies to destroy sites simply for monetary gain. The FACT that 80% of mining activities in Australia take place on Aboriginal land is the main factor why changes are currently being made. Please don’t wait until we’re about to lose these precious assets before, deciding to protect them.