The Rockliff Liberal Government recognises the importance of Tasmania’s Aboriginal cultural heritage to the State’s Aboriginal people and to all Tasmanians.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Roger Jaensch, said the Rockliff Liberal Government remains committed to introducing new, stronger Aboriginal Cultural Heritage legislation.
“We will do this by repealing the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1975 and replacing it with a new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Protection Act,” Minister Jaensch said.
“The new Act will deliver a modern approach to the protection and management of Tasmania’s Aboriginal cultural heritage including by ensuring it is considered early in planning processes.
“Today, we are releasing an update which provides a high-level overview of the proposed new Act, and reports on the significant progress that has been made towards its development.
“We are continuing to listen to feedback and refine the new Act as drafting progresses, and will be releasing a full exposure draft Bill for public comment early next year, prior to a final Bill being tabled in Parliament.
“As we have seen in other States and Territories, this type of reform is complex.
“It is critical that we get the detail right to ensure that the new Act is effective and balanced and, most importantly, provides for the contemporary protection and management of Tasmania’s unique Aboriginal cultural heritage.”
The update on New Aboriginal Heritage Legislation is available at https://www.aboriginalheritage.tas.gov.au/legislation/aboriginal-legislative-reform/aboriginal-heritage-act with comments or feedback open until 16 February 2024.
