❓ Hon Neil Thomson questions the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs regarding the release of guidelines and information related to the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, particularly concerning site assessments and obligations for landowners and tradespeople. The Minister responds with details on existing and planned resources and campaigns.
AnsweredQoN 669Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ABORIGINAL CULTURAL
HERITAGE ACT
669. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer to information about the
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act and the almost 30 000 signatures seeking a pause
to the new laws, which have been garnered without any advertising
(1) When will the minister release
the Aboriginal site assessment guidelines?
(2) When will the minister release a
fact sheet for small landowners?
(3) When will the
minister release a fact sheet for tradespeople such as plumbers and
electricians so they can comply with the new Aboriginal heritage laws on 1 July?
(4) When will the minister run a TV
awareness campaign outlining obligations under the new laws?
HERITAGE ACT
669. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer to information about the
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act and the almost 30 000 signatures seeking a pause
to the new laws, which have been garnered without any advertising
(1) When will the minister release
the Aboriginal site assessment guidelines?
(2) When will the minister release a
fact sheet for small landowners?
(3) When will the
minister release a fact sheet for tradespeople such as plumbers and
electricians so they can comply with the new Aboriginal heritage laws on 1 July?
(4) When will the minister run a TV
awareness campaign outlining obligations under the new laws?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021,
there will not be a statutory site assessment process and , as such, no need for Aboriginal site assessment
guidelines. Protected area guidelines and state significance guidelines
have already been released. Investigation guidelines and survey guidelines will
be published in the coming days.
(2) There are
several fact sheets already released and available on the website for all
landowners. Further fact sheets covering a range of topics will be developed.
(3) The fact
sheets provided cover the obligations for individuals and organisations in any
circumstances. If anyone has specific questions, they are encouraged to contact
the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage directly.
(4) There will be
an extensive radio and newspaper campaign delivered with a particular focus for
those in regional Western Australia. Information sessions commenced in May 2023
and are continuing to roll out around the state to meet demand. These will
continue after 1 July 2023. Attending the sessions is the best way for people
to get an understanding of the new act, and attendees have largely left better
informed and more comfortable regarding their obligations.
some notice of the question.
(1) Under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021,
there will not be a statutory site assessment process and , as such, no need for Aboriginal site assessment
guidelines. Protected area guidelines and state significance guidelines
have already been released. Investigation guidelines and survey guidelines will
be published in the coming days.
(2) There are
several fact sheets already released and available on the website for all
landowners. Further fact sheets covering a range of topics will be developed.
(3) The fact
sheets provided cover the obligations for individuals and organisations in any
circumstances. If anyone has specific questions, they are encouraged to contact
the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage directly.
(4) There will be
an extensive radio and newspaper campaign delivered with a particular focus for
those in regional Western Australia. Information sessions commenced in May 2023
and are continuing to roll out around the state to meet demand. These will
continue after 1 July 2023. Attending the sessions is the best way for people
to get an understanding of the new act, and attendees have largely left better
informed and more comfortable regarding their obligations.
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