Lhere Artepe boss says it never supported building art gallery on Anzac Oval, despite supporting letter

The chief executive of a native title body has made the stunning claim that the letter of support it provided to the NT government for the national Indigenous art gallery project did not reflect the organisation’s position.

THE chief executive of a native title body has made the stunning claim that the letter of support it provided to the NT government for the national Indigenous art gallery project did not reflect the organisation’s position.

Anzac Oval in Alice Springs is the NT government’s preferred site for the national Indigenous art gallery. Picture: Lee Robinson

Lhere Artepe boss Graeme Smith, who was a director when the letter was sent in 2020, said the organisation supported the gallery being built at the site of the Anzac High School but not on the adjacent oval and carpark. Mr Smith said the letter was “poorly written”.

“We will not support the government if they want to take over the oval,” he said.

It flies in the face of the letter, which states: “As the representative of the Arrente people of the Mparntwe, Antulye and Irlpme estates, (we) support the (gallery) being located at the Anzac Hill precinct incorporating the Anzac school and Anzac Oval sites.”

Mr Smith pointed out the organisation had no rights over the land and called on the council and NT government to “put politics aside” and sort it out.

A tribunal decision handed down last month, censured the government over failing to “adequately” consult about its plans, despite a proposal first being made over five years ago.

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