QUEENSLAND’S INDIGENOUS CULTURAL HERITAGE REVIEW PAPER RELEASED

The Bligh Government is encouraging the public to comment on the performance and effectiveness of Queensland’s Indigenous cultural heritage legislation.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace released a review paper on Queensland’s Indigenous Cultural Heritage Acts today at the Hughenden Regional Community Forum with local MP Betty Kiernan, Member for Mount Isa.

Minister Wallace said the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 each stipulated that the legislation had to be reviewed within five years of commencement.

"This review paper is seeking the community’s views on the effectiveness of the legislation since it took effect in 2004," Mr Wallace said.

Submissions are sought on topics such as whether the legislation has done what it set out to do, what is working well and what could be improved.

"The review will identify whether the legislation has fulfilled its key objective, which is to recognise Indigenous people as the primary authority on Indigenous cultural heritage and its management," Mr Wallace said.

Queensland has 22 registered cultural heritage bodies and 23,000 sites registered on the Department of Natural Resources and Water’s cultural heritage database.

The review team will travel to the regions to hear first hand from those who are working with the Acts.

Local MP Betty Kiernan said she was pleased the Bligh Government was consulting with Indigenous communities about this legislation.

"I encourage the local community to have a say on this legislation and work with the Bligh Government to ensure the legislation is effective and beneficial for Indigenous Queenslanders."

Submissions can be made to the Department of Natural Resources and Water. To allow for a reasonable consultation period and for submissions to be made the review will close on 28 February 2009.

For the full review paper go to www.nrw.qld.gov.au and follow the links.