Candidate for the Kimberley Rob Houston is calling for calm in the Broome community after the Department of Aboriginal Affairs (DAA) took the decision to revisit a heritage site application covering the Broome town site.
Mr Houston said the application would be reassessed after a decision of the Supreme Court of WA found the DAA used heritage criteria that was inconsistent with the Aboriginal Heritage Act.
Mr Houston noted he did not expect the updated criteria to change the outcome of the initial assessment.
“I note the issues with the initial assessment were largely technical and it appears this is what has prompted the reassessment,” Mr Houston said.
“I believe everyone should take note of the comments made by Yawuru as Native Title Holders over Broome opposing the application.
“The process has been mismanaged by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs which I believe is largely to blame for some of the angst in the community.”
Mr Houston said Broome had made important gains as a community and it was important this unity continued.
“It is frustrating that Perth-based bureaucrats are making poorly judged decisions without a proper understanding of how they will impact on Kimberley people,” Mr Houston said.
“If elected on March 11, I will work hard to ensure processes are better managed in the future.”
