The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:04): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing
a question to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs on the subject of Tandanya.
Leave granted.
The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Tandanya, also the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural
Institute, is well known to many South Australians. The management of Tandanya comes under the
Aboriginal Lands Trust Act, and it has been for many decades something that many South
Australians are rightfully proud of. Recently, it has come to my attention that Tandanya has been
closed for some time, so my questions to the minister are:
1. How long has Tandanya been closed for?
2. What have been the reasons for its closure?
3. What meetings has the minister had with the Aboriginal Lands Trust in regard to its
continuance, or any other bodies in regard to it reopening?
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for
Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:05): I thank the honourable member for her question.
Again, Tandanya itself as an operational organisation falls within the Minister for Arts portfolio area
but, as the honourable member has correctly identified, the building and the land on which Tandanya
operates out of is part of the estate of the Aboriginal Lands Trust.
I have had a number of meetings with the Aboriginal Lands Trust on occasions where
Tandanya has been discussed. I have also had the opportunity to have discussions, and I think I
have one due in the coming days with representatives from Tandanya about where they are, and
what they need in the circumstances.
I am aware that certainly areas of the building and large parts of the building—and sometimes
the entire building—have been closed to the public in recent times with physical issues to do with the
site. It is a very old building. I think some of the issues included the skylight windows at the top of the
building, and other forms of maintenance that are needed. I understand that there is likely some work
being done on a report to identify what infrastructure work needs to be done. As the member
identified, it is property of the Aboriginal Lands Trust, but certainly as a government we are keen to
understand what Tandanya need, and how we can help if possible.