Parliamentary record : Part I debates (11 November 1986)
Debates for 4th Assembly 1983 - 1987; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 4th Assembly 1983 - 1987
1986-11-11
Made available by the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
English
Debates
Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
Darwin
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Attribution International 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)
Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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https://hdl.handle.net/10070/220605
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/698931
DEBATES - Tuesday 11 November 1986 of the view of the alternative national government which supports the strong objections to listing raised by the Northern Territory government. Should the nomination be accepted, the Liberal and National Parties will, on return to government, take steps to seek delisting of stage 2. Today's decision, detailed reasons for which are given below, is consistent with the view expressed yesterday by distinguished Australian conservationist, Harry Butler, and Professor Kenneth Mellanby of Britain. A series of reasons are then listed, and the statement continues: The opposition supports the strong stand being made against the nomination by the NT government and authorises that government, in its appearance before the World Heritage Committee, to make known the opposition's views. Mr Speaker, there is every reason why this matter needs to be investigated. There are serious questions about whether or not that area should be included on the World Heritage List. Already it is part of a national park, subject to environmental control, albeit in a very degraded state at the moment because of a multitude of factors: noxious weeds, feral animals, grazing over many years, and salt intrusion as a consequence of the effects of buffalo on the dunes. The question is not whether it should be part of a national park and brought under environmental control; the question is whether it meets the criteria for World Heritage listing and whether it represents a unique artistic achievement. a masterpiece of the creative genius, or has exerted great influence over a span of time. or within a cultural area of the world. on developments in architecture. monumental arts. or town planning and landscaping. or bears a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a civilisation which has disappeared, or is an outstanding example of the type of structure which illustrates a significant stage in history, or is an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement which is representative of a culture and which has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change, or is directly and tangibly associated with events or with ideas or beliefs of outstanding universal significance and meets the test of authenticity in design, materials. workmanship. or setting. For natural property. areas nominated must be: outstanding examples representing the major stages of the earth's evolutionary history or outstanding examples representing significant on-going and geological processes. biological evolution and man's interaction with his natural environment. as distinct from the periods of the earth's development Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The Chief Minister's time has expired. The Assembly divided: Ayes 6 Mr Bell Mr B.Collins Mr Ede Mr Lanhupuy Mr Leo Mr Smith Noes 19 Mr D.W. Coll ins Mr Coulter Mr Dale Mr Dondas Mr Finch Mr Firmin Mr Hanrahan 784