Support sought for petition calling for Aboriginal languages legislation

Support is being sought for a Goldfields-instigated petition calling for State legislation recognising and enshrining Aboriginal languages.

The petition, which is supported by WA Labor Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Kyle McGinn, is now live on the Parliament website and open for signing until October 23.

Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre chief executive Sue Hanson, who pushed for the action after a call from last year’s Aboriginal Languages Conference in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, said Aboriginal languages legislation was “long overdue” in WA.

She said NSW enacted legislation in 2017 and WA needed the same level of recognition and support.

“A language is a person’s identity and the way they express their identity,” she said.

“It is critical for people’s wellbeing to have their language recognised and resourced to support it into the future.

“Grandparents need resources to teach their heritage languages to the younger generations.”

Ms Hanson said 85 First Nations languages of WA were highly endangered, with many classed as “severely endangered” and at risk of becoming extinct as spoken languages in 10 to 20 years.

She said WA’s Aboriginal languages were “State treasures and living libraries” and each — including 12 in the Goldfields region — were a “precious resource” for WA.

The e-petition will be tabled by Mr McGinn, who will call for support from fellow MPs.