Australia's plan to ban Uluru climb sparks debate

"Obviously you have to respect our religious attachment to the land too, so we're saying please do not climb Uluru. We've said it in all languages," Forrester said.

But outback Northern Territory Tourism Minister Chris Burns said his government did not back the indigenous proposal.

Hunt said the national government should not contemplate the closure of the rock at a time when Australia's tourism industry was under threat from the global financial crisis.

"Big Brother is coming to Uluru to slam the gate closed on an Australian tourism icon, the climb," he said.

But people responding to the state ABC radio website were divided, with some saying it was a "denial of the rights," and others calling for more respect of sacred areas.

"About time. We would be horrified if people were allowed to climb all over our churches or sacred sites," wrote Lilly. (Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)