Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart rips into scathing speech against new Aboriginal heritage laws: ‘Unintended consequences’
- Gina Rinehart denounces new Aboriginal heritage laws
- Regulations will have ‘unintended consequences’
Australia’s richest woman, Gina Rinehart, has launched a scathing attack on new Aboriginal heritage laws she says could wreak havoc in Western Australia.
The mining tycoon said the state’s new rules will have “unintended consequences,” with even the addition of a granny flat to a property being delayed.
The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act is set to come into effect on July 1, despite requests for a deferral by companies denied by new WA Prime Minister Roger Cook.
Ms. Rinehart warned that the new laws will hurt businesses across the state, including mining and developers.
Gina Rinehart (pictured) has launched a scathing attack on the government for introducing new Aboriginal heritage laws
The mining tycoon warned that starting July 1, when the legislation goes into effect, even building a granny flat will be subject to scrutiny (Photo: Pemberton, WA)
“Many are concerned that some elements of this law have not been widely consulted,” she said in a speech in Brisbane on Friday.
“There is a risk of unintended consequences, even developers are concerned, not just mining.
“These unintended consequences could also extend further, with all Western Australians owning a block of more than 1,100 square meters needing to be aware of their potential obligations under the law.
‘[That] may concern additional assessments, permits, plans and/or approvals for various activities.’
She said anyone wanting to build a granny flat for elderly parents or teenagers would have to comply with the new regulations if they move more than 20kg of soil.
Ms Rinehart said the changes have been “carefully tailored” to protect voters from properties less than 1,000 square meters – the size of a traditional quarter-acre block.
The mining tycoon warned that even simple changes under the new laws could require heritage assessment and approval.
Ms Rinehart (pictured with Garry Korte) described the changes as “carefully tailored” to protect voters from properties less than 1,000 square feet – the size of a traditional quarter-acre block
WA Prime Minister Roger Cook (pictured) sticks to the bill that has dominated parliamentary debates for the past two weeks
‘All those who have more [land] must study this legislation carefully,” said Ms Rinehart.
The WA prime minister continues to abide by the law that has dominated parliamentary discussions for the past two weeks.
The opposition has accused the government of rushing the roll-out of the new regime, but the new prime minister is standing firm.
Cook said the coalition is “on the wrong side of history” after unsuccessfully calling for a six-month delay for implementation of the law.
Under the change, many rivers, creeks and other tributaries will be considered ethnographic sites, requiring the highest level of assessment to change.
