Ministers statements: First Nations cultural tourism
Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:24): When we learn more about the history of First Peoples, it helps us all build a shared future of pride and ownership of the cultural heritage of this country. Aboriginal cultural landscapes form the core of Victoria’s network of parks and forests. For example, Speaker, in your own electorate the new Larni Yirrip campground, meaning ‘the home of the ironbarks’, will give people an opportunity not only to enjoy the beautiful forests and the ironbark but to learn about the Dja Dja Wurrung people and country. The storytelling, the design and the cultural elements are infused in the campground itself, so people enjoy camping and enjoy the great outdoors but learn something about the land that we are all lucky to call home. A second example – and there are many – is Budj Bim National Park: 30,000 years of history of eel trapping, smoking the eel and trading the eel with other peoples. This is a national park available to all Victorians and all Australians but also a way to learn more about this wonderful culture that we are lucky to have in this country.
That is why our government’s Experience Victoria 2033 strategic plan for tourism has as one of its five pillars the promotion of more cultural tourism through Aboriginal cultural heritage. We have supported Aboriginal communities through the registered Aboriginal parties with some assistance, including financially through the tourism industry strengthening program, to do more in that regard. In 2023 more than half a million people visited Victoria for cultural experiences. We can do much, much better, and this government is committed to doing better, because when Aboriginal people have a say we all benefit. But if you do not even have regard, respect and consideration for Aboriginal people, you are nowhere near close to the journey of using the opportunity of tourism to positively exploit their cultural heritage.