Thank you for the opportunity to provide a submission to this inquiry. Our cultural heritage and landscapes are being destroyed at alarmingly high rates and are under increasing threats. Many Australians have expressed outrage at the actions of proponents and the severely deficient legislative regimes that destroy Aboriginal cultural heritage across the Country every day, including at Juukan Gorge.

All governments must partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies and communities to design and deliver comprehensive reforms to replace Australia’s archaic Aboriginal heritage laws.

New laws must be based on self-determination, and free, prior and informed consent.