Resource information
The purposes of this Act are the preservation and protection from injury or desecration of areas and objects in Australia and in Australian waters, being areas and objects that are of particular significance to Aboriginals in accordance with Aboriginal tradition.The Minister may, upon application made orally or in writing by or on behalf of an Aboriginal or a group of Aboriginals seeking the preservation or protection of a specified area from injury or desecration, make a declaration in relation to the area. A Declaration shall contain provisions for and in relation to the protection and preservation of the area from injury or desecration. Declarations may be reviewed by Parliament. The making of a declaration relating to an Aboriginal place does not affect any obligation under any Act or law relating to the protection or conservation of land unless the obligation is inconsistent with the declaration. A local Aboriginal community may enter into an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Agreement with a person who owns or possesses any Aboriginal cultural property in Victoria. Aboriginal cultural property may be subject to compulsory acquisition by the Minister. The Minister may appoint inspectors or officers otherwise authorized for purposes of this Act. (33 sections)
Implemented by: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Regulations 1984. (2004-07-01)
