THE federal government has announced its October Budget will deliver funding to help deliver a world-class Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Western Australia on the traditional lands of the Noongar people. The Aboriginal Cultural Centre will acknowledge and celebrate the world’s oldest continuous living culture and specifically the diversity of WA’s Aboriginal communities, sharing culture on both a domestic and international level. “The world class Aboriginal Cultural Centre will be built on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk people,” said Linda Burney, minister for Indigenous Australians.
“It will provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase and celebrate Indigenous culture and promote a deeper understanding for visitors from across the county and the globe. “ The commonwealth will partner with and match the WA state government’s $50 million commitment, with each government also jointly funding a $4 million feasibility study. “This is the big, visionary project that Western Australia needs. This funding ensures the Federal and State governments can work together to deliver a major cultural and tourist attraction for all Australians,” said Patrick Gorman, assistant minister to the prime minister and member for Perth.
“It is now time for private and philanthropic contributors to get behind this project.” The current preferred site is on Terrace Road, due to its connection to Swan River or Derbarl Yerrigan, Heirisson Island or Matta Gerup and Kings Park or Katta Koomba, all of which hold cultural significance to the Noongar people. “We committed to delivering $50 million for the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and as promised, that money will be in this week’s Federal Budget,” said Anthony Albanese, prime minister.
“An Aboriginal cultural centre is an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the world’s oldest continuous living culture and share it with the nation and the world Under a Cultural Authority Framework, the project is being planned with extensive engagement with Aboriginal people and communities across WA. The framework aims to entrench Aboriginal-led community engagement and culture decision making processes in both the development and eventual operation of the centre. “I encourage all Western Australians to think on how we design and build this visionary addition to Perth’s skyline,” concluded Gorman.