19 August 1991
Dear Mr Reyburn
Thank you for your letter of 9 June concerning the need to
consider Aboriginal customs in the development of endangered
species legislation.
As you may be aware, the Endangered Species Advisory committee,
at my request, has prepared a legislation options paper. The
paper analyses current legislative protection for endangered
species at both the State and Commonwealth level and presents
future options for the protection of endangered species. The
paper recommends the enactment of Commonwealth endangered species
legislation. I am presently giving careful consideration to the
form of the proposed legislation.
The importance of Aboriginal culture in conserving wildlife is
increasingly being recognised. In response to public comments on
the draft National Strategy for the Conservation of Species and
Habitat Threatened with Extinction, the strategy has been revised
by the Endangered Species Advisory Committee to reflect the
importance of Aboriginal management of wildlife.
I would envisage that any Commonwealth endangered species
legislation would be consistent with the revised national
strategy.
While no scientific research has been funded on the use of
Dreaming law in threatened species legislation, there are many
examples of Commonwealth projects that involve Aboriginal
conservation management expertise. Under the Contract Employment
Program for Aboriginals in Natural and Cultural Resource
Management (CEPANCRM), the Australian National Parks and wildlife
Service (ANPWS) provides funds to nature conservation agencies
to contract Aboriginal communities and individuals to utilise
their skills.
Under this program, Aboriginal people advise on species that
should be prevalent in their area including those of totemic and
Dreaming significance. Examples of CEPANCRM projects include:
* Brushtail Possum Rehabilitation at Uluru national Park:
* Fire management in Uluru and Kakadu national Parks which
aims to replicate Aboriginal burning practices.
In the future, I am sure that the conservation of endangered
species under the national strategy and proposed legislation,
will take into account relevant knowledge and practices of the
Aboriginal people in order to ensure the continued survival of
Australia's wildlife.
Yours sincerely,
Ros Kelly