Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Jeanette Powell, gave an undertaking in Parliament this week to visit the Lake Tyers Trust within the next two months, after receiving a formal request from Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull.
Mr Bull explained to Parliament that earlier this year there was a blockade at the entrance to the Trust with some members of the local community raising a range of concerns.
“I note the Minister had a previous visit planned that was cancelled as it coincided with the state funeral of boxing legend, Lionel Rose.
“However, there remain a number of issues that the Lake Tyers community wishes to discuss. These include progress of the community renewal program, cultural heritage management issues, community plans and ongoing governance arrangements and I call on the Minister to visit the Trust,” Mr Bull said.
“Responding later in the sitting period, Minister Powell said she was pleased to advise she would be visiting in either late July or early August and that she was looking forward to discussing the community’s issues, aspirations and concerns.
“I know the Member for Gippsland East has some strong friendships with members of that community and I would be delighted for him to accompany me on that visit.
“It is important to remember that it was the people of Lake Tyers who originally approached the Government to address a serious breakdown in the administration of the Trust.
“There was general agreement that short term fixes had failed the community and hence the establishment of a 10 year plan to build the Lake Tyers communities capacity to govern itself was put in place.
“For the long term future of the community, I am committed to seeing that 10 year renewal plan through to completion and I am also committed to discussing the necessary steps and requirements to enable the community to move towards suitable and effective self-governance arrangements,” Ms Powell said.