2009-07-13

MP doesn't share Rudd's Uluru stance

by Alice Brennan


Federal Labor politician Warren Snowdon says there is nothing wrong with the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, opposing a ban on climbing Uluru - but he does not share that view.

A draft management plan for the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in Central Australia was released last week, recommending closing the climb in the future.

The plan noted that traditional owners were opposed to people climbing the sacred site.

The plan said the climb was dangerous, with more than 30 people dying on the rock.

It also stated that because there are no toilet facilities at the top of the rock, visitors were sometimes relieving themselves on the sacred site, polluting nearby waterholes.

Despite the recommendation, Mr Rudd last week threw his support behind keeping the climb open.

Mr Snowdon says in a democracy every person, including the Prime Minister, is entitled to their own opinion.

"He's indicated a view," he said.

"That view won't be shared by everyone and it won't be shared by everyone inside the Labor Party.

"It's not the view that I share because I don't believe that we should see it in that respect.

"Because I believe that there's every capacity for people to visit Uluru and enjoy the experience without actually climbing it."

Mr Snowdon says surveys indicate more than 90 percent of tourists would not care if they climbed the rock or not.

He says he will be making sure his Government fully understands the arguments for and against the closure.

"After all we need to appreciate that this land is their land and we've leased it back to the Commonwealth to be run as a National Park for interests and enjoyment for all Australians and all overseas visitors who might wish to visit the rock.

"But importantly, ultimately, they are the traditional owners."

The draft management plan is open for public comment until September.

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