4 October, 2013
NSW Government releases new model for Aboriginal culture and heritage laws, OEH consultations scheduled for November and December 2013
October 4, 2013
The NSW Government has released their proposed model for new Aboriginal culture and heritage laws, and will undertake consultations in November and December 2013. Comments on the proposed model are due by 14 February 2014. An outline of the proposed reforms is below in addition to consultation dates and locations.
NSWALC encourages all LALCs and members of the Aboriginal community to have a say about the future management and protection of Aboriginal culture and heritage in NSW. The proposed reforms, if implemented, will have significant impacts on how Aboriginal culture and heritage is managed in NSW in addition to significant impacts on the Aboriginal Land Council Network.
REFORM PROCESS
The NSW Government has been pursuing a process to reform Aboriginal culture and heritage laws for over two years. NSWALC has raised a number of concerns with the process to date. Please visit the More than Flora and Fauna' page of the NSWALC website for further information.
The OEH have advised that after the current consultation process, a draft Exposure Bill is due to be considered by Cabinet by mid 2014. It is not clear whether the Government intends to release a draft Exposure Bill for public comment.
OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED REFORMS
A number of concerns and issues with the Government's proposed model have been identified and further advice will be provided in due course.
In summary, key features of the Government's proposed model include:
Please refer to the attached information sheet for further information about the proposed Government model.
GOVERNMENT CONSULTATIONS
The OEH advises that all consultation workshops will run from 10am to 1pm. LALCs and members of the Aboriginal community are encouraged to attend consultations to raise concerns and issues about the proposed Government model.Â
Location |
Date |
Venue and address |
Dubbo |
6 November 2013 |
Western Plains Culture Centre, Auditorium, 76 Wingewarra Street |
Queanbeyan |
8 November 2013 |
Queanbeyan Bicentennial Hall, 253 Crawford Street |
Broken Hill |
12 November 2013 |
Broken Hill Council Chambers, 240 Blend Street, Broken Hill |
Bourke |
14 November 2013 |
Diggers on the Darling, Gundabooka Room, 23-25 Sturt Street |
Cessnock |
20 November 2013 |
Potters Brewery, Wine Country Drive, Nulkaba, Hunter Valley |
Tamworth |
22 November 2013 |
Community Facility, Heritage Room, Cnr Peel and Darling Streets |
Ballina |
27 November 2013 |
Lennox Head Cultural Centre, Mackney Lane, Lennox Head |
Sydney |
3 December 2013 |
Redfern Community Centre, 29-53 Hugo Street, Redfern |
Port Macquarie |
5 December 2013 |
Panthers, Renaissance Room, 1 Bay Street, Port Macquarie |
Griffith |
16 December 2013 |
Griffith Regional Theatre, Burley Griffith Room, 1 Neville Place |
Nowra |
19 December 2013 |
Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Studio Theatre, Bridge Road |
HOW TO HAVE A SAY
Submissions and comments are due to the OEH by the 14 February 2014. NSWALC encourages all LALCs to make a submission outlining any concerns and issues with the proposed Government model.
Submissions can be made via the following:
NSWALC MORE THAN FLORA AND FAUNA CAMPAIGN
Throughout the reform process NSWALC has been raising awareness of this important issue and seeking to engage with government to ensure that Aboriginal peoples are recognised in new laws. In addition, NSWALC held consultations with the Aboriginal Land Council Network on three proposed models for reform during 2012. An Outcomes Paper is available on the NSWALC website.
MORE INFORMATION
Please contact the NSWALC Policy and Research Unit on 02 9689 4444 or email policy@alc.org.au if you would like to discuss the proposed reforms. NSWALC submissions, fact sheets, reports and research on Culture and Heritage issues are available on the NSWALC website www.alc.org.au under the 'Culture and Heritage' tab.
The OEH consultation materials including the Government model, the Working Party's recommendations, fact sheets, and a questionnaire are available on the OEH website.