The Federal Government will establish new legislation designed to avoid incidents like the 2020 destruction of a sacred rock shelter at Juukan Gorge in Western Australia. The Government decision comes after the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia recommended new protections for thousands of heritage sites throughout Australia, as well as a revamp of the way in which native title operates. According to Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, the fact Rio Tinto destroyed the Juukan Gorge rock shelter despite warnings from Traditional Owners shows that current laws are inadequate. “The destruction of ... (full story)