Timeframe amended for new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill due to COVID-19

Timeframe amended for new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill due to COVID-19
Thursday 9 April 2020

Final consultation on the draft Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill 2020 has been put on hold.

Final consultation on the draft Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill 2020 has been put on hold while the Aboriginal community, key stakeholders and the State Government focus on the immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Aboriginal heritage protection reform process has been subject to extensive consultation over the past two years, resulting in broad consensus of key stakeholders, principally Aboriginal people and the mining industry, on the fundamental components and direction of the proposed Bill.

There is widespread agreement that the proposed new statutory Aboriginal heritage regime will better protect Aboriginal heritage in Western Australia. It places traditional owners at the centre of the heritage protection regime and will deliver better outcomes in land use proposals for stakeholders, industry and the community.

Final consultation with traditional owners in communities across the State was due to commence on drafted sections of the Bill in the coming months, prior to the Bill being introduced to Parliament.

Consultation will be rescheduled when the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided and restrictions on travel in Western Australia are no longer required. Work will continue in the interim with key stakeholders before the Bill is released for final public comment.

A review of the State's current Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 began in March 2018. For more information, visit https://www.dplh.wa.gov.au/aha-review

Read the media statement.

Page last reviewed 9 April 2020
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