Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Wyatt has used his address at the annual Yule River meeting to provide an update on the progress being made to reforms to the Aboriginal Heritage Act.
The second phase of the consultation has recently concluded and has resulted in overwhelming support being reached by members of Aboriginal groups, community stakeholders, the mining sector and local governments for the current outdated act to be replaced.
The McGowan Government will now move to prepare legislation to reflect this comprehensive and inclusive process, which will see a new and modern Aboriginal Heritage regime.
From consultation, it is clear that Aboriginal stakeholders want to be empowered to take ownership of managing their heritage, and become strategically involved in land use proposals.
The proposed reforms will also include an improved system for land use approval that strike the right balance between protecting Aboriginal culture and economic development.
A draft Bill will be made available for public comment early in 2020.
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt:
“I remain committed to having a new statutory Aboriginal Heritage regime with the broad support of all West Australians in this term of government.
“I am very mindful of the previous failed attempts to reform this legislation, and the need to consult widely and exhaustively in order to secure the community support needed to achieve such change.”
