I AM CONCERNED that some Toodyay residents are using last month’s Herald Page 1 story about Aboriginal heritage law as a platform to promote a ‘no vote’ in Australia’s upcoming referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
I would like to point out that the two issues are completely separate and should be kept as such.
Toodyay real estate agent Tony Maddox was charged with not seeking permission under a 1973 WA Aboriginal heritage law when he built a crossing over Boyagerring Creek which runs through his property.
It has nothing to do with the Voice to Parliament which is a product of the Uluru Statement From The Heart.
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The Uluru Statement was published in May 2017 after a four-day gathering of more than 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in Central Australia.
The purpose of a national referendum is to give recognition to Aboriginal people in the Australian Constitution.
This is to give them a voice on issues facing Aboriginal people to do with health, housing, the environment, culture and self-determination.
It has nothing to do with a republic, Aboriginal sovereignty or a treaty.
After speaking to Tony personally about his court case, my impression was that this is a dispute between neighbours.
Tony doesn’t appear to have a problem with Aboriginal people, the Waugul or the law.
His claim is merely that he wasn’t aware of the law or the required planning process before he upgraded his creek crossing to gain year-around access to his house.
The planning process involves an application to the WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, who is not an Aboriginal person.
I hope this clears up this issue and that the residents of Toodyay, who are currently at the forefront for reconciliation in Western Australia, will not lose their status.
Online information about the upcoming referendum can be found on the Reconciliation Australia website at www.reconciliation.org.au.
Sara Whincup
Toodyay
