More media about changes to the APY Land Rights Act ... Anger over SA traditional lands laws DECEMBER 03, 2014 1:40PM CROSSBENCHERS have slammed South Australias Aboriginal Affairs Minister over an eleventh-hour push to appoint an administrator to remote traditional lands. THE upper house voted on Tuesday to amend legislation to suspend the executive board of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ian Hunter said he had grown increasingly concerned about the governance of the lands, which have had seven general managers since 2010. But he came under fire from MLCs from across the political spectrum, who were disgusted by the lack of time they had been given to debate the legislation. The bill was introduced in the final sitting week of parliament, giving stakeholders little opportunity to assess its merits. Greens MLC Tammy Franks says the Labor government is treating the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio with contempt. I dont purport that everything is as it should be with the APY executive but I dont see this as the way to approach it, she said on Wednesday. The minister himself hasnt visited the APY lands for 14 months, so there is certainly cause for a lack of confidence. Mr Hunter had been due to visit the lands in September but was unable due to family reasons. The bill passed with amendments with support from the Liberals and Family First and is expected to pass in the lower house on Wednesday. About 2500 people live on the APY lands in South Australias far northwest.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 03:12:03 +0000
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