WA TO PROSECUTE OVER DESTRUCTION OF 10,000 YEAR OLD ROCK ART

f4949@iinet.net.au

THE WEST Australian Government will prosecute cement company Cemex for
allegedly destroying protected Aboriginal rock art up to 10,000 years old.

But the Federal Government is equivocating about what type of prosecution it
should pursue, despite expert advice that the damage breached national
heritage laws.

Last month, The Age revealed that Cemex had breached a national heritage
zone by bulldozing and blasting rocks known to contain important rock art in
a protected area of the Burrup region in northern WA. The action also
affected an ancient Aboriginal quarry that contains archaeologically
significant examples of indigenous tools.

Cemex admits the breach occurred, but denies any rock art was destroyed.
Management is believed to be blaming a manager who has left the company.

WA Department of Indigenous Affairs officials have been investigating since
January, and will now prosecute under state heritage laws.

Local elder and custodian of the Burrup rock art, Wilfred Hicks, said the
decision was a long time coming, as destruction of rock art in the Burrup
had been occurring for years.

Sources suggest the federal Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage
and the Arts is working out whether to seek a criminal or administrative
prosecution. The decision will then be given to Heritage Minister Peter
Garrett, who will decide whether to prosecute.

Penalties under national heritage laws can include a $5 million fine for a
company and up to seven years' jail for individual managers.

As heritage minister in 2007, Malcolm Turnbull protected 90 per cent of the
Burrup region but set aside sites for industry development.