Legislation
Indigenous Cultural Heritage Acts Review
The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) has undertaken a review of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld) (PDF)* and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld) (PDF)*, to assess their performance.
DERM has released a series of recommendations for public comment.
- Indigenous Cultural Heritage Acts Review—Key issues and draft recommendations paper (PDF, 675K)*
- Fact sheet L178—Indigenous Cultural Heritage Acts Review (PDF, 42K)*
The draft recommendations address issues raised in submissions to the review and relate to:
- protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage and cultural heritage duty of care
- native title parties, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parties and cultural heritage bodies
- collection and management of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage information
- cultural heritage management plans
- investigation and enforcement
- capacity and education.
Making a submission
Submissions can be made via phone, fax or email:
Indigenous Cultural Heritage Acts Review
Department of Environment and Resource Management
GPO Box 2454
Brisbane Qld 4001
Telephone: (07) 3330 5745
Fax: (07) 33301 5754
Email:Indigenous Cultural Heritage Acts Review
Submissions close 19 February 2010.
Background
The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the primary authority on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage—aiming to facilitate the continuation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, traditions and customs.
The Acts were introduced to replace the Cultural Record (Landscapes Queensland and Queensland Estate) Act 1987 and a review into their efficacy and efficiency was required to begin by mid-April 2009.
DERM is reviewing the Acts to determine if they are working as planned and fulfilling their main purpose—that is, to provide effective recognition, protection and conservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage.
In September 2008, DERM (then Department of Natural Resources and Water) released a review paper (PDF)* and sought public submissions on:
- whether the legislation has done what it set out to do—that is, recognise, protect and conserve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage
- what is working well, and why
- what can be improved, and how.
Submissions closed in February 2009.
* Requires Acrobat Reader
Last updated: 10 September 2009