Scott Morrison hails Uluru climbing ban as ‘timely change’

Scott Morrison has declared the Uluru climbing ban a “very good step forward” for the nation.

Indigenous Anangu perform a traditional dance during the ceremony marking the permanent ban on climbing Uluru. Picture: AFP.

Scott Morrison has heralded the Uluru climbing ban as a “significant” and “timely change”, declaring the move a “very good step forward” for the nation.

Speaking to reporters in Sydney on Monday, the Prime Minister said it was “about time” the indigenous sacred site was closed to tourists after it was permanently shut on Friday.

“This is a significant change in Uluru,” Mr Morrison said. “I think it’s a timely one and the tourism industry will of course adjust and move on, and I think will go from strength to strength.

“As you know I have some background in that area and it’s been a conversation that’s been around for a long time. I think it’s timely that we’ve now moved on with that issue,” Mr Morrison said, pointing to similar closures of indigenous sacred sites in central Australia.

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“I think the wishes of the indigenous people have been respected, and that is also I think a very good step forward.”

Mr Morrison also defended his absence from the celebration marking the closure of the climb, explaining he couldn’t be in two places at once, having already committed to attending the Western Australia Telethon in Perth.

“I was in Western Australia on the weekend and I was travelling back with my family from Western Australia,” Mr Morrison said. “I was there for the Western Australia telethon, and I can I congratulate all those in the West, some $42 million raise to support sick kids in WA.”

Labor senator Pat Dodson had condemned Mr Morrison for not attending events at Uluru at the weekend to mark the anniversary of it being handed back to traditional owners and the closure of the climb.

“He’s ducked us, the prime minister, and that’s a real insult to people who hold and carry customary law,” Senator Dodson told the ABC.