Reform of Indigenous heritage protection laws
Improving protection for Indigenous traditional areas and objects
On 3 August 2009 the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts invited written submissions on proposed reforms to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984. The Australian Government is proposing to reform this Act to improve Indigenous heritage protection laws nationally. The Act could be substantially amended or replaced. The government has released a discussion paper that contains the proposed reforms.
- Seeking comments on Indigenous heritage laws - media release, 3 August 2009
- Indigenous heritage law reform - Discussion paper
Submissions period
The period for public submissions ran from 3 August to 6 November 2009.
View the submissions.
Currently some submissions are arriving late. Please continue to check the submissions page for updates over the next few weeks.
What happens next?
The next step will be to consider your feedback. The government's decisions and the timing of possible new legislation will depend on the results of consultation, including the submissions received.
Background information
- Frequently asked questions
- Law reform process
- Commonwealth initiatives to protect traditional heritage
- Indigenous heritage laws
- Protection of Indigenous heritage under state and territory laws
Information sessions
During August and September the department sent officers to each city and town where there is an Indigenous Coordination Centre to meet representative bodies and to host information sessions for members of the public.
- Times and venues for the information sessions (concluded 29 September 2009) (PDF - 42 KB)| (Word - 92 KB)
People were not asked to state their views about the government's proposals at these meetings. The aim was to encourage anyone who is interested in the reforms to make a written submission or, where appropriate, to ask a representative body to make a submission on their behalf.
If you missed an information session, you can still view a version of the information that was presented:
Contact us
Indigenous Heritage Law Reform
Heritage Division
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: atsihpa@environment.gov.au
Phone: 1800 003 164
Relevant links
Contact us
Indigenous Heritage
Law Reform
Heritage Division
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
atsihpa@environment.gov.au
Phone: 1800 003 164
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If you are unable to access a publication, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.
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