“Does local federal MP Jim Turnour support tentative listing of Cape York on the World Heritage register without the consent of local indigenous people?” asked The Nationals’ Senator Ron Boswell today.
“The government tried to dodge this issue last week in Estimates hearings, but the local Member should be able to let his constituents know exactly where he stands.”
“Mr Turnour said in his blog* last year, ‘it is difficult to have a rational discussion about world heritage listing in the Cape because some of the advocates in the debate have no trust in each other. This isn't a reason for government not to ensure that the broader community can be consulted on the issue and to gather more information on World Heritage listing to inform this discussion.’”
“Turnour has ticked off on tentative listing with broader community consultation but without indigenous consent.”
“Indigenous and other communities in the Cape deserve confirmation from their local member that he is happy for the tentative listing to proceed without locals’ consent.”
“In Senate Estimates last week, the government confirmed they have the power to proceed without indigenous support but that they were holding off on the tentative listing until the Queensland government got back to them.”
“Mr Turnour announced prematurely last May that Cape York had been put on the tentative list, so it would appear that he does support tentative listing without indigenous backing.”
“Mr Turnour is being led round by the nose by extreme Greenies. He could not stop Pew from turning the Coral Sea into a Conservation Zone and he has washed his hands of concerns held by indigenous leaders on World Heritage listing, tentative or otherwise.”
“The Opposition will be watching him carefully to see if he stands up for Cape York locals.”
“We will be watching to see if he can deliver on his commitment that ‘PEW have not got their no- take zone and I will continue to fight any such proposal. Existing tourism operators and other commercial users of the area will have to obtain free permits to continue operating, but nobody's business is being closed down by a no-take zone as proposed by PEW.’* ”
“Turnour has effectively guaranteed that no one’s business will be affected by the Coral Sea Conservation Zone. A mighty call indeed. All my visits and talks with local fishers, tourism and marine related businesses show they have little confidence in the local Member being able to deliver on that commitment.”
*from Jim Turnour blog 29/5/09
ENDS
North Queensland 
Thursday, 25 March 2010 01:28 | 
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