General News
29 April, 2025
Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs visit Dyuritte
Against the backdrop of the Mt Arapiles/Dyuritte National Park at Pharos Gully, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Jacinta Mampijinpa Price, spoke to invited guests and media on Monday, April 28, about the need for equal recognition of all Australians.
She was accompanied by Member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster, who joined her as she shared the Coalition Policy announcement about the Arapiles Declaration signed by senior members in November in 2024.
She said a change of government would mean a change of how people were treated in the matter of the new climbing bans at Mt Arapiles and other stresses on the Wimmera/Mallee communities.
"I have spoken with climbers who have a passion for this area," she said referring to the iconic rock formation behind her. "And they have a respect for the cultural sites and the Aboriginal sites."
"We can find a way to work together so that our Aboriginal Heritage is respected and the passion for climbers is also respected.
On the subject of Welcome to Country, she said she believed it had a place at special functions including the opening of parliament or event attended by visiting dignatories but it wasn't necessary to recite it every time a plane landed.
"I have been brought up to be proud of my combined heritage, and I want to see more of that.
"Welcome to Country has been politicised and I don't want to see that," she said.
After the private press conference she met with more than 100 climbers, business owners and members of the public at Pine Park, shaking hands with people and sharing the sentiments she had at the press conference of change and better understanding between all.
There was a police presence at Pine Park and officers accompanied Ms Price and Webster to and from the press conference.
