A parliamentary question seeks data on Aboriginal site excavation permits issued under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. The Minister provides permit numbers and clarifies the approval process, declining to identify individual applications due to resource constraints.

AnsweredQoN 913Legislative Council
Asked
9 May 2003
Portfolio
Indigenous Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to section 16, excavation of Aboriginal sites, of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. (1) How many section 16 applications have been assented to on the advice of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee, established under section 28 of the Act, since the minister came to office, and can the minister identify the applications? (2) How many section 16 applications have been assented to by the registrar without referral to the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee, established under section 28 of the Act, since the minister came to office, and can the minister identify those applications? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As previously advised in response to question on notice 839, since 10 February 2001, the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites has approved 81 section 16 permits. All section 16 permits issued are ratified by the Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee. However, under section 16(1) of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, the right to grant permission to excavate or to remove anything from an Aboriginal site is reserved to the registrar. While all section 16 applications are recorded, identifying each individual application would require considerable research, which would divert staff away from their normal duties, and the minister is not prepared to allocate the State’s resources to provide a response. (2) Nil.
(1) How many section 16 applications have been assented to on the advice of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee, established under section 28 of the Act, since the minister came to office, and can the minister identify the applications? (2) How many section 16 applications have been assented to by the registrar without referral to the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee, established under section 28 of the Act, since the minister came to office, and can the minister identify those applications? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As previously advised in response to question on notice 839, since 10 February 2001, the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites has approved 81 section 16 permits. All section 16 permits issued are ratified by the Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee. However, under section 16(1) of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, the right to grant permission to excavate or to remove anything from an Aboriginal site is reserved to the registrar. While all section 16 applications are recorded, identifying each individual application would require considerable research, which would divert staff away from their normal duties, and the minister is not prepared to allocate the State’s resources to provide a response. (2) Nil.
(2) How many section 16 applications have been assented to by the registrar without referral to the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee, established under section 28 of the Act, since the minister came to office, and can the minister identify those applications? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As previously advised in response to question on notice 839, since 10 February 2001, the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites has approved 81 section 16 permits. All section 16 permits issued are ratified by the Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee. However, under section 16(1) of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, the right to grant permission to excavate or to remove anything from an Aboriginal site is reserved to the registrar. While all section 16 applications are recorded, identifying each individual application would require considerable research, which would divert staff away from their normal duties, and the minister is not prepared to allocate the State’s resources to provide a response. (2) Nil.
Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As previously advised in response to question on notice 839, since 10 February 2001, the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites has approved 81 section 16 permits. All section 16 permits issued are ratified by the Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee. However, under section 16(1) of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, the right to grant permission to excavate or to remove anything from an Aboriginal site is reserved to the registrar. While all section 16 applications are recorded, identifying each individual application would require considerable research, which would divert staff away from their normal duties, and the minister is not prepared to allocate the State’s resources to provide a response. (2) Nil.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) As previously advised in response to question on notice 839, since 10 February 2001, the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites has approved 81 section 16 permits. All section 16 permits issued are ratified by the Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee. However, under section 16(1) of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, the right to grant permission to excavate or to remove anything from an Aboriginal site is reserved to the registrar. While all section 16 applications are recorded, identifying each individual application would require considerable research, which would divert staff away from their normal duties, and the minister is not prepared to allocate the State’s resources to provide a response. (2) Nil.
(1) As previously advised in response to question on notice 839, since 10 February 2001, the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites has approved 81 section 16 permits. All section 16 permits issued are ratified by the Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee. However, under section 16(1) of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, the right to grant permission to excavate or to remove anything from an Aboriginal site is reserved to the registrar. While all section 16 applications are recorded, identifying each individual application would require considerable research, which would divert staff away from their normal duties, and the minister is not prepared to allocate the State’s resources to provide a response. (2) Nil.
(2) Nil.

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