Minister for Resources and Energy,  Minister for Tourism

MINISTER SIGNS MARALINGA HANDBACK DEED   Yesterday Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, Martin Ferguson signed the Maralinga  Handback Deed on behalf of the Australian Government.

Now that the agreement has been signed, amendments to the Maralinga Tjarutja Land Rights Act  will be introduced in the South Australian Parliament today to give legislative effect to the handback  - a process expected to be completed in December this year.

In response to the 1985 Royal Commission into British Nuclear Tests in Australia, the Hawke  Government agreed to clean up the land and return it to its Traditional Owners.

The Maralinga Rehabilitation Project to clean up the main test sites commenced in 1995 and was  successfully completed in 2000.

Minister Ferguson said, “Today is an historic day in terms of this country moving forward in its  relationship with indigenous Australians.

“This agreement between the Australian Government, the South Australian Government and the  Maralinga Tjarutja Aborigines sets out the roles and responsibilities of the three parties following  formal handback of the former British nuclear test sites at Maralinga to their traditional owners.

“Under the Maralinga Handback Deed the Commonwealth Government has committed to periodic  radiological monitoring of the test sites to confirm the safety of the land and to conduct any  maintenance of rehabilitation works that is required.

“The Australian Government has also committed to assisting the Maralinga Tjarutja Aborigines in  developing business opportunities presented by return of the land, including possible tourism  ventures.

As Minister for Tourism, I look forward to working with them in pursuing these opportunities for  their economic future.

“This agreement is a practical example of reconciliation that delivers property rights to the Tjarutja  Aborigines over their traditional lands and assistance that will create opportunities for economic  development and meaningful employment.”

The handback will occur just over 12 months after the death of Archie Barton, who for 20 years led  the Maralinga Tjarutja people in their campaign to both recover their lands and have it cleaned of the  consequences of the British Atomic tests.

Media contact:           Michael Bradley - 0420 371 744 or Neil Roberts - 0408 844 414

RET Minister > The Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP





The Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP

17 Nov 2009

Page 1 of 1 Minister for Resources and Energy, Minister for Tourism

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