A WA parliamentary question examines the Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee's composition and its role in Section 18 approvals under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, specifically regarding the presence of a specialist anthropologist. The Minister confirms a vacancy but asserts compliance.

AnsweredQoN 4628Legislative Council
Asked
20 September 2011
Portfolio
Indigenous Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

With reference to the functions of the Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee, I ask -
(1) Is it correct that under the Western Australia
Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972
, the Minster is obliged to receive and consider advice from the Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee (ACMC) before making any decision regarding a section 18 application?
(2) Is it correct that under the Western Australia
Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972
the ACMC is required to have one member who is a specialist anthropologist appointed in consultation with the tertiary institutions in the State which teach anthropology?
(3) Has there been a specialist anthropologist(s) on the ACMC in the last 18 months?
(4) If yes to (3), during what periods was a specialist anthropologist appointed in consultation with the tertiary institutions in the State to the ACMC?
(5) If there have been periods when there has been no specialist anthropologist on the ACMC, have any section 18 applications been considered during those times?
(6) If yes to (5) -
(a) has the Government of Western Australia breached its obligations under the Western Australia
Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972
; and
(b) are those section 18 application considerations and determinations valid under the Western Australia
Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972
?
(7) If no to (5), have section 18 applications been held in abeyance subject to the appointment of a specialist anthropologist?
(8) If no to (7), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
19 October 2011
Responded by
Minister for Indigenous Affairs
Response time
29 days
(1-3) Yes.
(4) A Specialist Anthropologist was appointed by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs on 6 July 2009, and resigned from the position on 23 July 2010.
The Specialist Anthropologist position is currently vacant. The Deputy Specialist Anthropologist, appointed in September 2011, is undertaking all the responsibilities of this position until such time as an appointment is made.
(5) Yes.
(6) (a) No.
(6) (b) Yes.
(7)  and (8) Not applicable.
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