The Tasmanian Aboriginal Land Council are calling for Police Minister Felix Ellis to be sacked after the Braddon MP shared a video of himself on a 4WD adventure in the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area.
Ellis recently posted a video on his Facebook page that featured him 4x4ing in the ‘significant heritage area’, which covers over 100,000 hectares and is home to hut depressions, large middens, and rock art.
Although the video was taken from a private, licensed vehicle on an official 4WD track, the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania chair Michael Mansell has called for the Minister’s sacking for his “disgraceful encouragement of four-wheel destruction of a nationally listed Aboriginal heritage area.”
The area is a popular destination for campers, horse riders, fishers, and off-road drivers, and has been the subject of controversy in recent years after the Liberal government’s commitment to reopen 4WD tracks closed by the previous Labor government.
In response to the criticism, Minister Ellis said it was a “privilege” to visit official 4WD tracks at Arthur River “with members of the Circular Head community” and that the licensed drivers in registered vehicles with relevant permits were “responsible four-wheel drivers”.
He added that “it is possible to protect our Aboriginal cultural sites while preserving the right to camp, fish and take part in recreational activities.”
The Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area is the only place in Tasmania where off-road drivers are required to obtain a Recreational Driver Pass, and there are designated 4WD tracks and routes in the area.
