Dr Michael Keating
Chair, Independent Review Committee
Review of Project Development Approvals System
PO Box 7606, Cloisters Square
Perth WA 6850
Dear Sir
Submissions on Interim Report for Comment
I refer to the above interim report arising from the Review of Project Development Approvals System by the Independent Review Committee and provide the enclosed submissions in relation to the report. The recommendations arising from these submissions are summarised in section 5.
I urge the Committee to address, in its analysis of the development approval system in WA, the human rights of Indigenous peoples and their relationship to that system. The content and value of the Committee's final report will be diminished if it contains material or recommendations that are inconsistent with Indigenous human rights.
In the interests of transparency and openness, I consider it useful for matters to be widely discussed, which assists differing approaches in understanding. Accordingly, I intend to provide copies of these submissions to various relevant parties, and would be grateful for your views on this.
I also enclose, for your information and reference, recent issues of the Native Title Report. These reports, which comment on the Native Title Act and its effect on Indigenous human rights, are provided to the Commonwealth Attorney-General as required under the Native Title Act. The reports provide far greater analysis of many of the matters I have only briefly mentioned in these submissions.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact John Southalan. John's direct telephone number is (02) 9284 9728, or you can use e-mail to <johnsouthalan@humanrights.gov.au>.
Yours faithfully
Dr William Jonas AM
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
