Aboriginal Culture and Heritage Reforms Proposal
CATEGORY: Advocacy

This report provides a summary of issues raised by members of the Aboriginal Land Council network during workshops hosted by the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) in May, June and July 2012 to discuss reforming Aboriginal Culture and Heritage laws in NSW. Some of the workshops were attended by representatives from NTSCORP Limited. NSWALC also received feedback from a number of other interested individuals and groups during this period.

Three alternative models for new laws were canvassed at the workshops and feedback sought from participants on the merits or otherwise of each of the proposals. The three models for new laws were proposed in the ‘Protecting the Past, Guarding the Future’ research paper commissioned by NSWALC.1

It is hoped that this report will assist in building on discussions within and between Aboriginal communities, government and industry about the future of Aboriginal heritage protection and management in NSW. As a collation of ideas and feedback we also hope that this report will be considered in the process to reform Aboriginal culture and heritage laws and inform the next steps of the review.

Acknowledgement

We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work as well as across the lands we travel through. We also acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging.

Artwork Credit: Craig Cromelin, from a painting he did titled, "4 favourite fishing holes". It is a snippet of his growing years on the Lachlan River, featuring yabby, turtle, fish and family.

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