Sacred sites returned

By Ben Courtice HOBART — After three years of negotiations the Liberal state government has passed legislation to hand 12 sacred sites back to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community. While both the government and Tasmanian Aboriginal Council spokesperson Michael Mansell agree that this does not constitute "land rights" the legislation does include sites such as Risdon Cove, the focus of many Aboriginal campaigns. Mansell said of Risdon Cove, site of the first white colonisation of Tasmania, "The only hope for making it pay for itself is to return the land to the Aboriginal community". The site, intended to be a tourist attraction, has been running at a loss for some time. Aboriginal activist Jim Everett has criticised the government's move. At a recent environmental rally he said the government should save whole areas of value to the Aboriginal community such as the Tarkine wilderness, instead of making token efforts. The government's legislation also provides for a Land Council to be elected by the 7-8000 Aboriginals in Tasmania.

From GLW issue 210