Cook government to scrap Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act after months of controversy
The West Australian government will scrap its controversial Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Laws within days, the ABC understands.
Key points:
The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act had been a source of confusion and controversy
They required many landholders to undertake detailed assessments before starting projects
The ABC understands the laws are set to be scrapped in days
Premier Roger Cook and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Tony Buti will make an announcement early next week.
It follows months of harsh criticism of the laws and the government in the lead up to their implementation on July 1 and in the weeks following.
The criticism has been lead by WA's opposition parties — the Nationals and Liberals — along with farmers groups including WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association.
It's understood the state will revert to operating under the 1972 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage legislation.
The new legislation came into force to 'modernise' the existing process, which saw major problems exposed in the wake of the destruction of Juukan Gorge.
The laws require some WA landowners to check for the presence of cultural heritage before conducting any activities that may compromise such sites.
Where a risk exists, landowners may need to seek permits or prepare management plans depending on the type of activity and the extent to which the land will be cleared or disturbed.
The government also made numerous exemptions for lower-level works that did not previously exist.
Tone shifts over laws
At the time, the legislation was moved through parliament quickly and the Opposition voted in favour, but say that was something they now have come to regret.
Key criticism of the act were that it was too confusing and unclear, that it would be too time consuming and too expensive for landowners to meet the requirements of it, and that it would be open to abuse.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-04/wa-government-scrap-aboriginal-cultural-heritage-act-/102692282