Review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
Why review the Aboriginal Heritage Act?
The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (the Act) commenced operation on 28 May 2007. It is the Victorian government’s legislation for protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage.
This review is being conducted according to Section 193 of the Act which requires the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs to review the Act’s ‘efficacy and efficiency’ by 28 May 2012.
The review is aimed at refining and improving the Act’s operation with the benefit of five years experience.
Latest news
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria invites feedback on issues and options for the review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act
The review of the Act commenced in September 2011 and is now well underway.
There has been widespread consultation and eighty public submissions made to the review. A social and economic impact assessment of the Act has also been prepared.
An Issues and Options Paper has been developed in response to key issues raised in the review process so far. Aboriginal Affairs Victoria now invites your feedback on options for improving the Act.
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria has now completed three months of consultation. To date, eighty public submissions have been received from interested individuals and organisations.
Submissions to the review have now been published.
Read the Summary of Submissions and Consultation
The Summary of Submissions and Consultation contains a summary of the key issues raised in submissions and consultation on the review so far. The Summary of Submissions and Consultation is available here:
Summary Of Submissions and Consultation (PDF 543 KB) or (Word 315 KB).
Read the Socioeconomic Report
PricewaterhouseCoopers prepared a report on the social and economic impacts of the Act, the report is available here:
Socioeconomic Report (PDF 1.7 MB) or (Word 1.7 MB)
Read the Issues and Options Paper
An Issues and Options Paper has been developed in response to key issues raised in the review process so far and seeks feedback on options for improving the Act. The Issues and Options Paper is available here:
Options Paper Aboriginal Heritage Act (PDF 484 KB) or (Word 75 KB)
Read the Discusion Paper
The discussion paper is available here:
Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 Discussion Paper (Word 280 KB)
Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 Discussion Paper (PDF 900 KB)
How can people be involved?
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria now invites your feedback on the Issues and Options Paper.
Please forward your submission (in word and PDF format) to Aboriginal Affairs Victoria no later than 24 May 2012:
Post
Review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria
Department of Planning and Community Development
GPO Box 2392
Melbourne 3000
aboriginal.heritage@dpcd.vic.gov.au
Submissions will be made publicly available. If you do not want your submission or your name made public, please clearly mark your submission as confidential.
Review steps
Key steps in the review process
- Release Discussion Paper and invite submissions (September 2011)
- Consultation and submissions (September 2011 to January 2012)
- Release Summary of Submissions and Consultation, Socioeconomic Report and Issues and Options Paper and invite submissions (April 2012)
- Consultation and submissions (5 April to 24 May 2012)
- Provide advice on outcomes of the review relevant to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the establishment and effectiveness of Registered Aboriginal Parties
- Release review report summarising responses to the Issues and Options Paper
- Victorian Government releases recommendations responding to the review of the Act and the Parliamentary Inquiry
External advisory group
An external advisory group will oversee the review process. The group will include representatives from the Aboriginal community, industry, cultural heritage advisors and local government. The group will meet throughout the review to provide advice and feedback on the review process.
Contact us
If you would like to find out more about the review, or would like to be added to our contact database, please contact:
Jamin Moon
9208 3247
jamin.moon@dpcd.vic.gov.au
Petra Stock
9208 3016
petra.stock@dpcd.vic.gov.au
Parliamentary inquiry into registered Aboriginal parties (RAPs)
Separate to the review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act, parliament is holding an inquiry into the establishment and effectiveness of registered Aboriginal parties.
The Environment and Natural Resources Committee of parliament will meet to establish the process for public submissions and make announcements via the Parliament of Victoria website: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/enrc
How are the review of the Act and the parliamentary inquiry related?
The review of the Aborigjnal Heritage Act is being undertaken by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria on behalf of the Minister. The review will look into the operation of all parts of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2007.
The parliamentary inquiry into registered Aboriginal parties is being undertaken by the Parliament of Victoria. The parliamentary inquiry will only look at the processes relating to the appointment and effectiveness of registered Aboriginal parties.
Stakeholders are encouraged to have their say through both processes by making submissions under both the review of the Act and the parliamentary inquiry.