Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The minister has repeatedly said that a World Heritage nomination would not proceed without the prior consent of traditional owners. A World Heritage nomination will only be submitted for Cape York once a comprehensive assessment of values has been completed and the community has been consulted, and it is subject to traditional owner consent.

The government is committed to hearing the full range of views. I am advised that Queensland government officials have been consulting through their community and scientific advisory committees, which are guiding the engagement and assessment process. The Queensland government are also undertaking a process of country based planning with Indigenous communities in the Cape York Peninsula to engage directly on identifying heritage values. I am advised that the department expects to take part in this on-ground consultation with Indigenous communities by developing a World Heritage nomination in the coming months. (Time expired)