The Supreme Court of the Northern Territory has today found the Director of National Parks is not criminally liable for damaging a Kakadu sacred site because the Commonwealth Government is not bound by the Territory's sacred sites laws.
While I respect the decision of the Supreme Court, I am disappointed and saddened by the outcome.
The Director of National Parks flagrantly carried out works at Kakadu's Gunlom Falls in 2019 without taking into account consultations with the traditional owners, or any engagement with the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority. That conduct disregarded the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 and the protections it creates for sacred sites.
World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park is one of Australia's most archaeologically, culturally, and spiritually significant areas; cared for under a joint management plan between Traditional Owners and the Commonwealth Government. The Northern Territory, in particular the region's custodians, have been failed by the Director of National Parks who failed to abide by the Sacred Sites Act.
The Territory Labor Government will now work with the Federal Government to explore legislative changes to ensure stronger protections of our cultural heritage.
