Hon Neil Thomson questions the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs regarding consultation with landholders on the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill 2021 and its potential impact, particularly on freehold landholders and prescribed bodies corporate. The Minister responds by outlining the extensive consultation process and the bill's intent to empower Aboriginal people.

AnsweredQoN 956Legislative Council
Asked
11 November 2021
Portfolio
Aboriginal Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

ABORIGINAL CULTURAL
HERITAGE BILL 2021 — LANDHOLDER CONSULTATION
956. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer to the drafting and
consultation regarding the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill 2021 and reports
of new imposts on landholders.
(1) What consultation has occurred with all classes of
landholders with regard to the drafting of this legislation?
(2) How will freehold landholders
with more than 1 100 square metres be affected by this legislation?
(3) Will increased management and statutory approval responsibilities
be imposed on prescribed bodies corporate?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The draft Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill has
been informed by three years of consultation with traditional owners,
industry, land users and government representatives across the state,
collecting the views of over 1 500 people. In total, 175 workshops, stakeholder
meetings or public information sessions have been held across the state. More than 380 submissions from a wide range of
stakeholders, including landholders , were also received.
(2) The new
tiered system creates certainty for land users about what types of activities
require approvals and the types of approval
that will be required. The development of activity categories within the new t iered
system will be subject to extensive consultation and co-design with
stakeholders, including landholders.
(3) The bill will empower Aboriginal people to have an
active role in the management of their cultural heritage through the
creation of local Aboriginal cultural heritage services. Prescribed bodies
corporate can apply to provide local Aboriginal cultural heritage services and
will be prioritised to provide this service.

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