Shadow Minister Nicola Centofanti says questions around governance, volunteer engagement and heritage management extend beyond the Copper Coast
A parliamentary inquiry into the National Trust of South Australia could soon be on the cards, with the Legislative Council set to vote on a motion this week.
The move comes as the ongoing dispute between the National Trust and volunteers at Moonta Mines continues to play out in the Supreme Court.
The controversy began earlier this year when the National Trust of South Australia suspended volunteers from the Moonta branch committee and abruptly closed several popular heritage attractions.
The closures sparked widespread backlash from locals, volunteers and visitors, with a group of former volunteers taking legal action against the organisation.
The matter appeared before the Supreme Court on June 12 and is due to return to court on August 7. It has been reported the National Trust argued it had no obligation to be “fair” when it suspended eight Moonta heritage volunteers and froze almost $335,000 in branch funds.
Concerns Raised by Volunteers and Stakeholders Right Across the State
However, Liberal MLC Nicola Centofanti says concerns extend well beyond Moonta.
The Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, has moved a motion calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the National Trust of South Australia.
The proposed inquiry would examine the organisation’s governance and organisational structure, the effectiveness of the National Trust of South Australia Act 1955, heritage asset management, volunteer engagement and the impact of governance issues on regional communities, local history and tourism.
Centofanti said the motion was prompted by concerns raised by volunteers and stakeholders from across the state.
“These people have dedicated years, in some cases decades, of unpaid voluntary work to preserve history,” she said.
“When they are speaking out and raising significant concerns about their organisations, then we as members of parliament need to sit up and take notice.”
In moving the motion, Centofanti acknowledged the important role the National Trust has played in preserving South Australia’s heritage, but said recent concerns had raised broader questions about governance, heritage management, volunteer engagement and the future direction of the organisation.
She said she was confident the motion would receive the support needed to proceed, paving the way for a parliamentary inquiry into the organisation.
If successful, the matter would be referred to Parliament’s Environment, Resources and Development Committee for investigation and report.
The Legislative Council is scheduled to vote on the motion on Wednesday, June 17.
