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This consultation is closed

More than 430 responses were received through written submissions and online surveys. Thank you to all those who provided feedback and contributed to the review.

The responses, together with recent national, state and territory developments, will guide and inform the next steps to make sure Queensland’s cultural heritage laws provide strong, effective protection for our state’s rich cultural heritage and work well for the benefit of all Queenslanders.

To keep up to date with Queensland's cultural heritage laws, visit our Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts website.

Reshaping Queensland’s cultural heritage laws

We want to hear your views on proposed changes to the laws for recognising, protecting and conserving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage.

This consultation is a key step in finalising the review of the Cultural Heritage Acts:

  • Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003
  • Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003

We have listened to feedback and ideas from previous consultation in earlier stages of the review. The changes now being proposed build on this feedback and reflect the latest approaches to cultural heritage protection and management in other Australian states and territories as well as important developments in Queensland, such as the Statement of Commitment to reframe the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Queensland Government.

 

 

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Summary of proposed changes

Our Options Paper sets out proposals for change across the three key areas: providing opportunities to improve cultural heritage protection; reframing the definitions of ‘Aboriginal party’ and ‘Torres Strait Islander party’; and promoting leadership by First Nations peoples in cultural heritage management and decision making.

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Glossary of Terms

A short glossary of terms found throughout the survey.

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Connect with us

Email: CHA_Review@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au

Phone number: 1800 469 166

FAQS

The Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships is managing the review process of Queensland’s Cultural Heritage Acts.

 

The purpose of the review is to ensure the Cultural Heritage Acts continue to protect and conserve Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage, while enabling business and development activity.

The review began in 2019 and has so far involved:

  • extensive engagement with Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and other interested specialists
  • review and consideration of approaches of cultural heritage protections across other Australian jurisdictions, submissions made to the Juukan Gorge Inquiry and best practice standards and obligations
  • the preparation and publication of the options paper outlining proposals based on feedback received from stakeholders and priorities for improving the way we manage and protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage.

The original timeline was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Government is now committed to finalising the review. The options paper provides for a 12-week public consultation period that will end on 31 March 2022.

 

The feedback received through the consultation on the options paper will be used to inform recommended changes to the Cultural Heritage Acts.

The laws protecting cultural heritage in Queensland are the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003.

 

The main purpose of the Cultural Heritage Acts is to provide effective recognition, protection and conservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage.

 

Not necessarily. The proposals are based on key themes from the feedback received in the review so far as well as other national developments. To enable us to finalise the review, we would appreciate your submission to cover the questions included in the options paper.

 

Alternatively, we would appreciate your feedback by completing the online survey. Providing your feedback is important as it will enable development of cultural heritage reforms that reflect your views.

Documents

The journey so far

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    December 2021 - March 2022

    Release of Options Paper for public consultation and finalising the review. 
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    March 2020

    The review was paused due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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    January 2020

    Targeted consultation on legislative reform options on last claim standing provision, and compliance mechanisms, with the 70 stakeholders that...
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    July 2019

    70 written submissions received from Traditional Owner groups; land, resource, and development stakeholders; local and State government...
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    May to July 2019

    State-wide consultations with 300 participants at 18 forums held in Brisbane, Roma, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Mt Isa, Townsville, Cairns and...
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    May 2019

    Release of the 2019 Cultural Heritage Acts consultation paper.