Tasmanian Aboriginal community disappointed by state budget 'snub'
Tasmania's Aboriginal community says the Government has ignored them in its debut state budget.
Community members were unimpressed millions of dollars in funding was given to convict heritage sites while nothing was offered for Indigenous affairs.
The Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania (TALC) wanted $500,000 to build a base camp for a cultural heritage track in the state's north-east.
The proposed tourism project would include walking tracks at Mount William and Eddystone Point, with Aboriginal interpretation.
The Government announced almost $2.5 million in funding for World Heritage convict sites such as Brickendon and Woolmers Estates in Tasmania's north.
TALC Chairman Clive Mansell said the Government's commitment to convict heritage sites should not take precedence over indigenous cultural heritage.
"Yet again, we're still waiting for the Government to sort out where they stand in terms of protecting Aboriginal heritage," Mr Mansell said.
"No money's been given by the State Government to try and find a solution to that issue."
Premier Will Hodgman rejected the criticism, saying promoting Aboriginal cultural heritage was still high on the Government's agenda.
"I'm really excited by the opportunities that we've started to discuss with the Aboriginal community," Mr Hodgman said.
"I want to continue those, understand where those opportunities best lie, and my commitment to the Aboriginal community is that those discussions will continue."
Premier Hodgman 'has let us down': Clive Mansell
Mr Mansell said the cultural heritage track project would create six jobs and a revenue base for the community, and draw attention to Tasmania's indigenous cultural history.
He said after a meeting earlier this year he was under the impression Mr Hodgman was committed to the project.
"I feel the Premier has let us down and that I'm terribly disappointed," he said.
"We were clearly given the impression that the Premier supported the project and was going to provide resources to see the project go ahead.
"Once again the Aboriginal community has been left out in the cold. This was an opportunity for the Government to help us develop an economic base."
Increased funding had been allocated to other tourism operations and tourism marketing, he said, including a brewery.
"I notice that they provided money for Boags brewery in Launceston and other big companies, but they've failed to help the Aboriginal community," he said.
"It's just an indication of where they see Aboriginal heritage. We just don't rate a mention."
