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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.
PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA
Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
Act No.
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Clause Page
PART 1--PRELIMINARY 1
1. Purpose 1
2. Commencement 1
3. Objectives 2
4. Definitions 3
5. What is an Aboriginal place? 11
6. Who is a native title party for an area? 12
7. Traditional or familial links 13
8. Heritage significance not affected by damage 14
9. Act does not affect operation of Coroners Act 1985 14
10. Native title rights and interests 14
11. Act binds the Crown 15
PART 2--OWNERSHIP AND CUSTODY OF ABORIGINAL
CULTURAL HERITAGE 16
Division 1--Underlying Principles 16
12. Principles 16
Division 2--Aboriginal Human Remains 16
13. Ownership of Aboriginal human remains 16
14. Aboriginal human remains in custody of State 17
15. Return and custody of Aboriginal human remains by Museums
Board 17
16. Return of Aboriginal human remains by other entities 17
17. Reporting Aboriginal human remains 18
18. Secretary must determine how to act on report 19
19. Transfer of Aboriginal human remains to Secretary 19
20. What must the Secretary do with transferred remains? 20
Division 3--Secret or Sacred Aboriginal Objects 20
21. Ownership of secret or sacred objects 20
22. Return of secret or sacred objects by State entity 21
23. Return of secret or sacred objects by other entities 22
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Division 4--Aboriginal Places and Objects 22
24. Reporting discovery of Aboriginal places and objects 22
25. Continued use of surface of land 23
Division 5--Role of the Museums Board of Victoria 23
26. Role of Museums Board of Victoria 23
PART 3--PROTECTION OF ABORIGINAL CULTURAL
HERITAGE 24
Division 1--Protection from Harm 24
27. Harming Aboriginal cultural heritage unlawful 24
28. Doing an act likely to harm Aboriginal cultural heritage
unlawful 25
29. When is harm permitted? 26
30. Order to repair or restore Aboriginal cultural heritage 26
Division 2--Acquisition and Grant of Land 27
31. Acquisition of Aboriginal place 27
32. Grant of land 28
Division 3--Control of Activities 29
33. Possession of Aboriginal object 29
34. Control of activities 30
35. Forfeiture of Aboriginal object to Crown 31
Division 4--Cultural Heritage Permits 32
36. Application for cultural heritage permit 32
37. Restrictions on grant of permit 32
38. Referral of application to registered Aboriginal party 33
39. Action by registered Aboriginal party on application 33
40. Determination of application 34
41. Conditions on cultural heritage permits 35
PART 4--CULTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLANS 37
Division 1--What is a Cultural Heritage Management Plan? 37
42. What is a cultural heritage management plan? 37
43. Procedure for assessment 37
44. Who may prepare a plan? 38
45. Voluntary cultural heritage management plan 38
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Division 2--When is a Cultural Heritage Management Plan
Required? 38
46. Mandatory cultural heritage management plans 38
47. Regulations may require plan 39
48. Minister may require plan 39
49. Plan required if Environment Effects Statement required 40
Division 3--Other Authorisations Suspended Until Plan Prepared 40
50. Definitions 40
51. Application of Division 43
52. Plan must be prepared before authorisation given 43
Division 4--Preparation of Cultural Heritage Management Plans 44
53. Cultural heritage management plan to be prepared in
accordance with prescribed standards 44
54. Notice of intention to prepare cultural heritage management
plan 44
55. Registered Aboriginal parties may elect to evaluate plan 45
56. Sponsor to notify Secretary of intention of registered
Aboriginal party 45
57. Newly registered Aboriginal parties 45
58. Engagement of cultural heritage advisor 46
59. Obligations of sponsor and registered Aboriginal party 46
60. Registered Aboriginal party may also advise 47
Division 5--Approval of Cultural Heritage Management Plans 47
61. Matters to be considered in relation to a plan 47
62. Application to registered Aboriginal party for approval 48
63. Decision by registered Aboriginal party 48
64. When does a plan approved by a registered Aboriginal party
take effect? 49
65. Approval by Secretary 50
66. Approval by Council 51
Division 6--General 52
67. Sponsor must give assessment documentation to Secretary 52
PART 5--CULTURAL HERITAGE AGREEMENTS 54
Division 1--Making and Amendment of Agreements 54
68. What is a cultural heritage agreement? 54
69. Parties to a cultural heritage agreement 55
70. Form of cultural heritage agreement 55
71. Amendment of cultural heritage agreement 55
72. Agreement of no effect without consent of registered
Aboriginal parties 56
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73. When does a cultural heritage agreement begin? 56
74. When does a cultural heritage agreement end? 56
Division 2--Lodgement and Registration of Agreements 57
75. Cultural heritage agreements to be lodged with Secretary 57
76. Registration of cultural heritage agreements 57
77. Effect of registration 58
78. Governor in Council may release covenant 58
79. Cancellation or amendment of registration 58
PART 6--CULTURAL HERITAGE AUDITS AND STOP
ORDERS 60
Division 1--Cultural Heritage Audits 60
80. What is a cultural heritage audit? 60
81. When can a cultural heritage audit be ordered? 60
82. Requirement of cultural heritage audit 61
83. Conduct of cultural heritage audit 61
84. Report of cultural heritage audit 62
85. Approval of report of audit 62
86. Notification and effect of approval 63
Division 2--Stop Orders 64
87. When can a stop order be issued? 64
88. Stop order required for cultural heritage audit 64
89. What can a stop order do? 64
90. How is a stop order delivered? 65
91. How long does a stop order operate? 65
92. Extension of stop order 65
93. Revocation of stop order 66
94. Further stop order 66
95. Offence to fail to comply with stop order 66
PART 7--PROTECTION DECLARATIONS 67
Division 1--Interim Protection Declarations 67
96. Interim protection declarations 67
97. What must an interim protection declaration provide for? 67
98. Period of interim protection declaration 68
99. Amendment or revocation of interim protection declaration 68
100. Minister to consult 69
101. Publication of declaration 69
102. Offence to contravene interim protection declaration 70
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Division 2--Ongoing Protection Declarations 71
103. Ongoing protection declarations 71
104. What must an ongoing protection declaration provide for? 72
105. Amendment or revocation of ongoing protection declaration 72
106. Minister to consult 73
107. Publication of declaration 73
108. Offence to contravene ongoing protection declaration 74
Division 3--General 75
109. Declaration has effect 75
110. Notices relating to declarations 75
PART 8--DISPUTES REGARDING ABORIGINAL CULTURAL
HERITAGE 77
Division 1--Disputes Regarding Cultural Heritage Management
Plans 77
Subdivision 1--Alternative Dispute Resolution 77
111. Meaning of "dispute" 77
112. What alternative dispute resolution includes 77
113. Referral of disputes for alternative dispute resolution 78
114. Costs of alternative dispute resolution 78
115. Statements made during alternative dispute resolution not
admissible 79
Subdivision 2--Dispute Resolution in VCAT 79
116. Sponsor may apply to VCAT 79
117. Parties to proceeding 80
118. Decision of VCAT 80
119. VCAT to consider certain matters 80
120. VCAT to be satisfied of certain matters 81
Division 2--Disputes Regarding Cultural Heritage Permits 81
121. Applicant for cultural heritage permit may apply to VCAT 81
122. Parties to proceeding 82
123. Decision of VCAT 82
124. VCAT to be satisfied of certain matters 82
Division 3--Disputes Regarding Protection Declaration Decisions 83
125. What is a protection declaration decision? 83
126. Review of protection declaration decisions 83
127. Parties to proceeding 84
128. Decision of VCAT 84
129. VCAT to have regard to certain matters 84
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PART 9--ADMINISTRATION 85
Division 1--Aboriginal Heritage Council 85
130. Establishment of Council 85
131. Membership 85
132. Functions of the Council 86
133. Functions of the Chairperson 88
134. Payment of members 88
135. Resignation and removal 89
136. Acting members 89
137. Co-opted members 90
138. Election of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson 90
139. Procedure of the Council 91
140. Effect of a vacancy or defect 91
141. Immunity from liability 92
142. Conflict of interest 92
Division 2--The Secretary 93
143. Functions of the Secretary 93
Division 3--Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register 94
144. Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register 94
145. What is in the Register? 94
146. Who may access the Register? 95
147. Secretary may provide advice to persons or bodies seeking
access to Register 97
PART 10--REGISTERED ABORIGINAL PARTIES 98
Division 1--Functions of Registered Aboriginal Parties 98
148. Functions of a registered Aboriginal party 98
149. Registered Aboriginal party must act in good faith 99
Division 2--Application and Registration 99
150. Application for registration 99
151. Determination of application for registration 99
152. Effect of determination 101
153. Parties for area 101
154. Notice of determination 102
155. Variation of registration 102
156. Suspension and revocation of registration 103
157. Procedure for suspension or revocation of registration 104
158. Review of decisions of the Council 105
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PART 11--ENFORCEMENT 106
Division 1--Inspectors 106
159. Functions of inspectors 106
160. Appointment of inspectors 106
161. Re-appointment of inspectors 107
162. Suspension and revocation of appointment 107
163. Cessation of appointment 107
164. Identity cards 108
165. Inspector to produce identity card 108
Division 2--Powers of Inspectors 108
166. General power to enter land or premises 108
167. Obtaining the consent of the occupier 109
168. Power to enter land or premises open to public 111
169. Power to enter land or premises for audit 111
170. Search powers upon entry 111
171. Seizure powers on entry without search warrant 112
172. Seizure power without consent 112
173. Search warrants 113
174. Announcement before entry 114
175. Copy of search warrant to be given to occupier 115
176. Receipt for seized things 115
177. Security of seized things 115
178. Seizure of Aboriginal human remains or object 116
179. Return of seized things 116
180. Inspector may require giving of name and address 117
181. Inspector may require information 118
182. Inspector may take affidavits 119
183. Person must not give false information etc. 119
Division 3--General 119
184. Report to be given about entry 119
185. Person must not impersonate, obstruct or hinder inspector 120
186. Who may prosecute? 121
187. Evidence 121
PART 12--GENERAL 123
188. Delegation 123
189. Cultural heritage advisor 123
190. Approval of forms 124
191. Tax and rate remissions 124
192. Report on operation of Act 125
193. Review of operation of Act 125
194. Regulations 125
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PART 13--REPEAL, SAVING AND TRANSITIONAL
PROVISIONS AND AMENDMENT OF ACTS 127
195. Repeal 127
196. Saving and transitional provisions 127
197. Amendment of the Victorian Civil and Administrative
Tribunal Act 1998 127
PART 1A--ABORIGINAL HERITAGE ACT 2006 127
2A. Constitution of Tribunal 127
198. Consequential amendments 128
__________________
SCHEDULES 129
SCHEDULE 1--Saving and Transitional Provisions 129
SCHEDULE 2--Consequential Amendments 132
ENDNOTES 135
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PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA
Initiated in Assembly 4 April 2006
As amended by Assembly 2 May 2006
A BILL
to provide for the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage in
Victoria, to repeal the Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics
Preservation Act 1972 and for other purposes.
Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows:
PART 1--PRELIMINARY
1. Purpose
The main purpose of this Act is to provide for the
protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage in
Victoria.
5
2. Commencement
This Act comes into operation on a day or days to
be proclaimed.
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Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
Act No.
Part 1--Preliminary
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3. Objectives
The objectives of this Act are--
(a) to recognise, protect and conserve
Aboriginal cultural heritage in Victoria in
ways that are based on respect for Aboriginal
5
knowledge and cultural and traditional
practices;
(b) to recognise Aboriginal people as the
primary guardians, keepers and knowledge
holders of Aboriginal cultural heritage;
10
(c) to accord appropriate status to Aboriginal
people with traditional or familial links with
Aboriginal cultural heritage in protecting that
heritage;
(d) to promote the management of Aboriginal
15
cultural heritage as an integral part of land
and natural resource management;
(e) to promote public awareness and
understanding of Aboriginal cultural heritage
in Victoria;
20
(f) to establish an Aboriginal cultural heritage
register to record Aboriginal cultural
heritage;
(g) to establish processes for the timely and
efficient assessment of activities that have
25
the potential to harm Aboriginal cultural
heritage;
(h) to promote the use of agreements that
provide for the management and protection
of Aboriginal cultural heritage;
30
(i) to establish mechanisms that enable the
resolution of disputes relating to the
protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage;
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(j) to provide appropriate sanctions and
penalties to prevent harm to Aboriginal
cultural heritage.
4. Definitions
(1) In this Act--
5
"Aboriginal cultural heritage" means
Aboriginal places, Aboriginal objects and
Aboriginal human remains;
"Aboriginal human remains" means the whole
or part of the bodily remains of an
10
Aboriginal person but does not include--
(a) a body, or the remains of a body, buried
in a public cemetery (within the
meaning of the Cemeteries and
Crematoria Act 2003) that is still used
15
for the interment of human remains; or
(b) an object made from human hair or
from any other bodily material that is
not readily recognisable as being bodily
material; or
20
(c) any human tissue--
(i) dealt with or to be dealt with in
accordance with the Human
Tissue Act 1982 or any other law
of a State, a Territory or the
25
Commonwealth relating to
medical treatment or the use of
human tissue; or
(ii) otherwise lawfully removed from
an Aboriginal person;
30
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s. 4
"Aboriginal object" means--
(a) an object in Victoria or the coastal
waters of Victoria that--
(i) relates to the Aboriginal
occupation of any part of
5
Australia, whether or not the
object existed prior to the
occupation of that part of
Australia by people of non-
Aboriginal descent; and
10
(ii) is of cultural heritage significance
to the Aboriginal people of
Victoria; or
(b) an object, material or thing in Victoria
or the coastal waters of Victoria--
15
(i) that is removed or excavated from
an Aboriginal place; and
(ii) is of cultural heritage significance
to the Aboriginal people of
Victoria--
20
but does not include--
(c) an object that has been made, or is
likely to have been made, for the
purpose of sale (other than an object
made for barter or exchange in
25
accordance with Aboriginal tradition);
or
(d) Aboriginal human remains;
"Aboriginal person" means a person belonging
to the indigenous peoples of Australia,
30
including the indigenous inhabitants of the
Torres Strait Islands, and any descendants of
those peoples;
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s. 4
"Aboriginal place" has the meaning given by
section 5;
"Aboriginal tradition" means--
(a) the body of traditions, observances,
customs and beliefs of Aboriginal
5
people generally or of a particular
community or group of Aboriginal
people; and
(b) any such traditions, observances,
customs or beliefs relating to particular
10
persons, areas, objects or relationships;
"activity" means the development or use of land;
"approved cultural heritage management
plan" means a cultural heritage management
plan approved under this Act;
15
"approved form" means a form approved by the
Secretary under section 190;
"buy", in relation to an Aboriginal object,
means--
(a) acquire by purchase, barter or
20
exchange; or
(b) agree, or offer, to acquire by purchase,
barter or exchange; or
(c) advertise for the purpose of engaging in
purchase, barter or exchange;
25
"coastal waters of Victoria" has the same
meaning as the expression "coastal waters of
the State" has in relation to Victoria under
the Coastal Waters (State Powers) Act 1980
of the Commonwealth;
30
"contravene" includes fail to comply with;
5
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Act No.
Part 1--Preliminary
s. 4
"Council" means the Aboriginal Heritage
Council established under Part 9;
"cultural heritage advisor" means a person who
has the qualifications or experience (or both)
required under section 189;
5
"cultural heritage agreement" has the meaning
given by section 68;
"cultural heritage audit" has the meaning given
by section 80;
"cultural heritage management plan" has the
10
meaning given by section 42;
"cultural heritage permit" means a cultural
heritage permit granted under this Act;
"cultural heritage significance" includes--
(a) archaeological, anthropological,
15
contemporary, historical, scientific,
social or spiritual significance; and
(b) significance in accordance with
Aboriginal tradition;
"Department" means the Department for
20
Victorian Communities;
"development", in relation to land, includes the
following kinds of development--
(a) the construction or exterior alteration or
exterior decoration of a building;
25
(b) the demolition or removal of a building
or works;
(c) the construction or carrying out of
works;
(d) the subdivision or consolidation of
30
land, including buildings and airspace;
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s. 4
(e) the placing or relocation of a building
or works on land;
(f) the construction or putting up for
display of signs or hoardings;
"harm", in relation to Aboriginal cultural
5
heritage, includes injure, damage, deface,
desecrate or destroy;
"human tissue" includes an organ, or part, of a
human body or a substance extracted from,
or from a part of, a human body;
10
"inspector" means an inspector appointed under
Part 11;
"interim protection declaration" means an
interim protection declaration made under
this Act;
15
"Museum of Victoria" means the premises from
time to time used by the Museums Board for
its activities under the Museums Act 1983;
"Museums Board" means the Museums Board
of Victoria established by section 10 of the
20
Museums Act 1983;
"Native Title Act" means the Native Title
Act 1993 of the Commonwealth;
"native title agreement" means an indigenous
land use agreement registered on the
25
Register of Indigenous Land Use
Agreements under the Native Title Act;
"native title party" has the meaning given by
section 6;
"ongoing protection declaration" means an
30
ongoing protection declaration made under
this Act;
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Act No.
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s. 4
"Register" means the Victorian Aboriginal
Heritage Register established under
section 144;
"registered Aboriginal party" means a body
that is registered under Part 10;
5
"registered native title body corporate" has the
same meaning as in the Native Title Act;
"registered native title claimant" has the same
meaning as in the Native Title Act;
"registered native title holder" means--
10
(a) a registered native title body corporate;
or
(b) an entity, other than a registered native
title body corporate, that is the subject
of a determination of native title under
15
the Native Title Act and is registered on
the National Native Title Register
established under that Act as holding
native title rights and interests;
"relevant registered Aboriginal party"
20
means--
(a) in relation to a cultural heritage
management plan, a registered
Aboriginal party that is registered for
the area to which the plan relates;
25
(b) in relation to a cultural heritage
agreement, a registered Aboriginal
party that is a party to the agreement;
(c) in relation to a cultural heritage permit,
a registered Aboriginal party that, under
30
section 39, provides advice to the
Secretary on the application for the
permit;
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Act No.
Part 1--Preliminary
s. 4
(d) in relation to an interim or ongoing
protection declaration or an application
for that declaration, a registered
Aboriginal party for the area--
(i) in which the Aboriginal place to
5
which the declaration or
application relates is located; or
(ii) from which the Aboriginal object
to which the declaration or
application relates originated;
10
(e) in any other case, a registered
Aboriginal party that the Secretary is
satisfied is a relevant registered
Aboriginal party in the circumstances
of that case;
15
"sacred" means sacred according to Aboriginal
tradition;
"secret" means secret according to Aboriginal
tradition;
"Secretary" means the Secretary to the
20
Department;
"sell", in relation to an Aboriginal object,
means--
(a) dispose of by sale, barter or exchange;
or
25
(b) agree, or offer, to dispose of by sale,
barter or exchange; or
(c) advertise or expose for the purpose of
sale, barter or exchange; or
(d) consign, or have possession of on
30
consignment, for the purpose of sale,
barter or exchange;
9
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"sponsor", in relation to a cultural heritage
management plan, means--
(a) if the plan is required under this Act in
relation to an activity, the person who is
seeking to undertake that activity; and
5
(b) in any other case, the person seeking
the preparation of the plan;
"State entity" means a person or body that
represents the State;
"stop order" means a stop order issued under
10
Part 6;
"traditional or familial links" has the meaning
given by section 7;
"use", in relation to land, includes use or
proposed use for the purpose for which the
15
land has been, is being or may be developed;
"works" includes--
(a) any physical intervention, excavation or
action that may result in a change to the
structure, appearance or physical nature
20
of a place; and
(b) any change to the natural or existing
condition or topography of land; and
(c) the removal or destruction of trees; and
(d) the removal of vegetation or topsoil.
25
(2) If under the Public Administration Act 2004 the
name of the Department for Victorian
Communities is changed, a reference in the
definition of "Department" in sub-section (1) to
that Department must, from the date when the
30
name is changed, be treated as a reference to that
Department by its new name.
10
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(3) For the purposes of this Act, an object originates
from an area whether it is still in its original
location in that area or has been removed from
that location.
5. What is an Aboriginal place?
5
(1) For the purposes of this Act, an Aboriginal place
is an area in Victoria or the coastal waters of
Victoria that is of cultural heritage significance to
the Aboriginal people of Victoria.
(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), "area"
10
includes any one or more of the following--
(a) an area of land;
(b) an expanse of water;
(c) a natural feature, formation or landscape;
(d) an archaeological site, feature or deposit;
15
(e) the area immediately surrounding any thing
referred to in paragraphs (c) and (d), to the
extent that it cannot be separated from the
thing without diminishing or destroying the
cultural heritage significance attached to the
20
thing by Aboriginal people;
(f) land set aside for the purpose of enabling
Aboriginal human remains to be re-interred
or otherwise deposited on a permanent basis;
(g) a building or structure.
25
11
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6. Who is a native title party for an area?
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a body is a native
title party for an area if it is any of the
following--
(a) a registered native title claimant for the area;
5
(b) a person who was a registered native title
claimant for the area, but only if--
(i) the person's claim has failed, but there
is no other registered native title
claimant for the area, and there is not,
10
and never has been, a native title holder
for the area; or
(ii) the person has surrendered the person's
native title in respect of the area under a
native title agreement; or
15
(iii) the person's native title has been
compulsorily acquired or has otherwise
been extinguished;
(c) a registered native title holder for the area;
(d) a person who was a registered native title
20
holder for the area, but only if--
(i) the person has surrendered the person's
native title in respect of the area under a
native title agreement; or
(ii) the person's native title has been
25
compulsorily acquired or has otherwise
been extinguished.
(2) A registered native title claimant or a person
referred to in sub-section (1)(b) is a native title
party for the whole area included within the outer
30
boundaries of the area in relation to which the
application was made under the Native Title Act
for a determination of native title, regardless of
12
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s. 7
the nature and extent of the claimant's claims in
relation to any particular part of the whole area.
(3) A registered native title holder or a person
referred to in sub-section (1)(d) is a native title
party for the whole area included within the outer
5
boundaries of the area in relation to which the
application was made under the Native Title Act
for a determination of native title, regardless of
the extent to which native title was found to exist
in relation to any particular part of the whole area.
10
7. Traditional or familial links
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a person has
traditional or familial links to an area if--
(a) the person is an Aboriginal person with
particular knowledge about traditions,
15
observances, customs or beliefs associated
with the area; and
(b) the person--
(i) has responsibility under Aboriginal
tradition for significant Aboriginal
20
places located in, or significant
Aboriginal objects originating from, the
area; or
(ii) is a member of a family or clan group
that is recognised as having
25
responsibility under Aboriginal
tradition for significant Aboriginal
places located in, or significant
Aboriginal objects originating from, the
area.
30
(2) For the purposes of this Act, a person has
traditional or familial links to Aboriginal human
remains if the person is an Aboriginal person
who--
13
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(a) has responsibility under Aboriginal tradition
for the remains; or
(b) is a member of a family or clan group that is
recognised as having responsibility under
Aboriginal tradition for the remains.
5
(3) For the purposes of this Act, a person has
traditional or familial links to a secret or sacred
object if the person is an Aboriginal person who--
(a) has responsibility under Aboriginal tradition
for the object; or
10
(b) is a member of a family or clan group that is
recognised as having responsibility under
Aboriginal tradition for the object.
8. Heritage significance not affected by damage
For the purposes of this Act, Aboriginal cultural
15
heritage does not cease to be Aboriginal cultural
heritage if it is damaged or modified.
9. Act does not affect operation of Coroners Act 1985
Nothing in this Act affects the operation of the
Coroners Act 1985.
20
10. Native title rights and interests
(1) Nothing in this Act is intended to affect native
title rights and interests otherwise than in
accordance with the Native Title Act.
(2) The provisions of this Act must be interpreted in a
25
way that does not prejudice native title rights and
interests to the extent that those rights and
interests are recognised and protected by the
Native Title Act.
(3) In this section, "affect" and "native title rights
30
and interests" have the same meanings as in the
Native Title Act.
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Act No.
Part 1--Preliminary
s. 11
11. Act binds the Crown
This Act binds the Crown in right of Victoria and,
so far as the legislative power of the Parliament
permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.
__________________
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Part 2--Ownership and Custody of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
s. 12
PART 2--OWNERSHIP AND CUSTODY OF ABORIGINAL
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Division 1--Underlying Principles
12. Principles
The following principles underlie this Part--
5
(a) as far as practicable, Aboriginal cultural
heritage should be owned by Aboriginal
people with traditional or familial links to the
area from which the Aboriginal cultural
heritage is reasonably believed to have
10
originated if it is any of the following--
(i) Aboriginal human remains;
(ii) secret or sacred Aboriginal objects;
(b) Aboriginal cultural heritage of the kind
referred to in paragraph (a) that is in the
15
custody of the State should continue to be
protected by the State until it can be
transferred into the protection of its
Aboriginal owners.
Division 2--Aboriginal Human Remains
20
13. Ownership of Aboriginal human remains
(1) On the commencement of this section, Aboriginal
people who, immediately before that
commencement, had a traditional or familial link
to Aboriginal human remains become the owners
25
of the human remains if they are not already the
owners.
(2) Sub-section (1) applies regardless of who may
have owned the Aboriginal human remains before
the commencement of this section.
30
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14. Aboriginal human remains in custody of State
On the commencement of this section, the
Minister must ensure that Aboriginal human
remains that are in the custody of the State are, as
soon as practicable, transferred to the Museums
5
Board for safekeeping.
15. Return and custody of Aboriginal human remains
by Museums Board
(1) An Aboriginal person who, whether by virtue of
this Act or otherwise, owns Aboriginal human
10
remains that are in the custody of the State may
ask the Museums Board--
(a) to return the remains to him or her; or
(b) to continue to be the custodian of the
remains.
15
(2) The Museums Board may seek the advice of the
Council in relation to a request under sub-
section (1).
(3) If the Museums Board is satisfied that a person
who makes a request under sub-section (1) is the
20
owner of the Aboriginal human remains, the
Museums Board must comply with the request to
the greatest extent practicable.
(4) A person who owns Aboriginal human remains is
not limited to making only one request under sub-
25
section (1).
16. Return of Aboriginal human remains by other
entities
An Aboriginal person with traditional or familial
links to Aboriginal human remains held or
30
controlled by a university, museum or other
institution may--
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(a) on his or her own initiative, or in conjunction
with one or more other Aboriginal persons,
negotiate directly with the university,
museum or other institution; or
(b) ask the Minister to negotiate with the
5
university, museum or other institution on
behalf of the person--
for the return of the Aboriginal human remains.
17. Reporting Aboriginal human remains
(1) This section applies to a person if the person--
10
(a) knows of the existence and location of
human remains; and
(b) knows that the human remains are, or are
reasonably likely to be, Aboriginal human
remains.
15
(2) This section does not apply to an Aboriginal
person who is the rightful owner of the Aboriginal
human remains.
(3) A person to whom this section applies must--
(a) as soon as practicable, report the existence of
20
the human remains to the Secretary; and
(b) give the Secretary all details about the
location and nature of the human remains
that the Secretary reasonably requires.
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
25
60 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate,
300 penalty units.
(4) It is a defence to proceedings under sub-
section (3) if the person had reasonable cause to
30
believe that the Secretary was aware of the
existence and location of the human remains.
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18. Secretary must determine how to act on report
(1) This section applies if the Secretary--
(a) receives a report under section 17; and
(b) is satisfied that the report relates to
Aboriginal human remains.
5
(2) The Secretary must--
(a) inform the person who gave the report of the
person's obligations under section 19
(if applicable); and
(b) after taking reasonable steps to consult with
10
any Aboriginal person or body the Secretary
believes may have an interest in the
Aboriginal human remains, determine the
appropriate course of action to be taken in
relation to the Aboriginal human remains.
15
19. Transfer of Aboriginal human remains to Secretary
(1) This section applies to a person who--
(a) is in possession of Aboriginal human
remains that are not presently part of, or
contained within, an Aboriginal place; and
20
(b) knows or ought reasonably to know, or is
reckless as to whether, the human remains
are Aboriginal human remains--
but does not apply--
(c) to the State; or
25
(d) to an Aboriginal person who is the rightful
owner of the Aboriginal human remains.
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(2) The person must, as soon as practicable, take all
reasonable steps to transfer the Aboriginal human
remains into the custody of the Secretary.
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
120 penalty units;
5
In the case of a body corporate,
600 penalty units.
20. What must the Secretary do with transferred
remains?
If Aboriginal human remains are transferred to the
10
Secretary under section 19, the Secretary must--
(a) if there is an Aboriginal person or a
registered Aboriginal party that the Secretary
is satisfied is entitled to, and willing to take
possession, custody or control of the
15
remains, transfer the remains to that person
or party; or
(b) if there is no person or party of the kind
referred to in paragraph (a), deal with the
remains in accordance with the reasonable
20
directions of the Council; or
(c) in any other case, transfer the remains to the
Museums Board for safekeeping.
Division 3--Secret or Sacred Aboriginal Objects
21. Ownership of secret or sacred objects
25
(1) This section applies to an Aboriginal object that--
(a) is a secret or sacred object; and
(b) is, immediately before the commencement of
this section, in the custody of a State entity,
or, on or after that commencement, comes
30
into the custody of a State entity.
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(2) Aboriginal people who have a traditional or
familial link with the object, if they are not
already the owners of the object, become the
owners--
(a) if the object was in the custody of a State
5
entity immediately before the
commencement of this section, on that
commencement; or
(b) in any other case, when the object comes into
the custody of a State entity.
10
22. Return of secret or sacred objects by State entity
(1) An Aboriginal person who, whether by virtue of
this Act or otherwise, owns a secret or sacred
Aboriginal object that is in the custody of a State
entity may ask that entity--
15
(a) to return the object to him or her; or
(b) to continue to be the custodian of the object.
(2) If the State entity is satisfied that the person who
makes a request under sub-section (1) is the owner
of the Aboriginal object, the entity must comply
20
with the request to the greatest extent practicable.
(3) The State entity may seek the advice of the
Council in relation to a request under sub-
section (1).
(4) A person who owns an Aboriginal object is not
25
limited to making only one request under sub-
section (1).
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23. Return of secret or sacred objects by other entities
An Aboriginal person with traditional or familial
links to a secret or sacred Aboriginal object held
or controlled by a university, museum or other
institution may--
5
(a) on his or her own initiative, or in conjunction
with one or more other Aboriginal persons,
negotiate directly with the university,
museum or other institution; or
(b) ask the Minister to negotiate with the
10
university, museum or other institution on
behalf of the person--
for the return of the secret or sacred Aboriginal
object.
Division 4--Aboriginal Places and Objects
15
24. Reporting discovery of Aboriginal places and
objects
(1) This section applies if--
(a) a person discovers an Aboriginal place or
object; and
20
(b) the person knows that the place or object is
an Aboriginal place or object.
(2) The person must report the discovery to the
Secretary as soon as practicable unless, at the time
of making the discovery, the person had
25
reasonable cause to believe that the Register
contained a record of the place or object.
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
60 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate,
30
300 penalty units.
22
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(3) If a discovery of an Aboriginal place or object is
made in the course of works being carried out on
any land, the person in charge of the works is
deemed for the purposes of this section to be the
person who discovered the place or object.
5
25. Continued use of surface of land
(1) This section applies if an Aboriginal place or
object is located on the surface of land and--
(a) under the tenure on which the land is held,
the owner or occupier of the land is entitled
10
to the use and enjoyment of the surface of
the land; or
(b) a person is otherwise entitled to the use and
enjoyment of the surface of the land.
(2) Despite the existence of the Aboriginal place or
15
object, the owner, occupier or other person is
entitled to the use and enjoyment of the land to the
extent that the person does not contravene
section 27 or 28.
Division 5--Role of the Museums Board of Victoria
20
26. Role of Museums Board of Victoria
(1) The Museums Board may accept the custody of
Aboriginal cultural heritage.
(2) While the Museums Board has custody of any
Aboriginal cultural heritage transferred to it under
25
this Act, the Museums Board must ensure that the
heritage is lodged at the Museum of Victoria.
(3) Section 25 of the Museums Act 1983 does not
apply to Aboriginal human remains or secret or
sacred Aboriginal objects.
30
__________________
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Part 3--Protection of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
s. 27
PART 3--PROTECTION OF ABORIGINAL CULTURAL
HERITAGE
Division 1--Protection from Harm
27. Harming Aboriginal cultural heritage unlawful
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if--
5
(a) the person knowingly does an act that harms
Aboriginal cultural heritage; and
(b) at the time the act was done the person knew
that the thing harmed was Aboriginal
cultural heritage.
10
(2) A person who is guilty of an offence under sub-
section (1) is liable to a penalty not exceeding--
(a) in the case of a natural person, 1800 penalty
units;
(b) in the case of a body corporate,
15
10 000 penalty units.
(3) A person is guilty of an offence if--
(a) the person knowingly does an act that harms
Aboriginal cultural heritage; and
(b) at the time the act was done the person was
20
reckless as to whether the thing harmed was
Aboriginal cultural heritage.
(4) A person who is guilty of an offence under sub-
section (3) is liable to a penalty not exceeding--
(a) in the case of a natural person, 1200 penalty
25
units;
(b) in the case of a body corporate, 6000 penalty
units.
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(5) A person is guilty of an offence if--
(a) the person knowingly does an act that harms
Aboriginal cultural heritage; and
(b) at the time the act was done the person was
negligent as to whether the thing harmed was
5
Aboriginal cultural heritage.
(6) A person who is guilty of an offence under sub-
section (5) is liable to a penalty not exceeding--
(a) in the case of a natural person, 600 penalty
units;
10
(b) in the case of a body corporate, 3000 penalty
units.
(7) An offence under this section is an indictable
offence.
15 Note: The provisions of Division 12 of Part I of the Crimes
Act 1958 (which deal with attempts) apply to
indictable offences against this Act.
28. Doing an act likely to harm Aboriginal cultural
heritage unlawful
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if--
20
(a) the person knowingly does an act that is
likely to harm Aboriginal cultural heritage;
and
(b) at the time the act was done the person knew
that the act was likely to harm Aboriginal
25
cultural heritage.
(2) A person who is guilty of an offence under sub-
section (1) is liable to a penalty not exceeding--
(a) in the case of a natural person, 1200 penalty
units;
30
(b) in the case of a body corporate, 6000 penalty
units.
25
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(3) An offence under this section is an indictable
offence.
Note: The provisions of Division 12 of Part I of the Crimes
Act 1958 (which deal with attempts) apply to
5 indictable offences against this Act.
29. When is harm permitted?
A person who does an act that harms or is likely to
harm Aboriginal cultural heritage does not
commit an offence under section 27 or 28 if--
(a) the person is acting--
10
(i) in accordance with a cultural heritage
permit or approved cultural heritage
management plan that applies to the
Aboriginal cultural heritage; or
(ii) in accordance with Aboriginal tradition
15
as it relates to the Aboriginal cultural
heritage; or
(b) the person does the act in the course of
preparing a cultural heritage management
plan in accordance with this Act; or
20
(c) the harm is the result of doing an act that is
necessary because of an emergency.
30. Order to repair or restore Aboriginal cultural
heritage
(1) This section applies if a court accepts a plea of
25
guilty from a person in relation to, or finds a
person guilty of, or convicts a person of, an
offence under this Division in relation to
Aboriginal cultural heritage.
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(2) In addition to any other sentencing order imposed
in respect of the offence, the court may order the
person to pay to the State or the Council or a
relevant registered Aboriginal party, an amount of
money for or towards--
5
(a) the cost of any repair or restoration of the
Aboriginal cultural heritage needing to be
carried out; and
(b) the cost of any repair or restoration of
anything else that is not the Aboriginal
10
cultural heritage, but that is associated with
the Aboriginal cultural heritage and also
needs to be repaired or restored because of
the offence.
(3) The court may also order the person to take any
15
reasonable steps that the court thinks appropriate
for any rehabilitation of land that needs to be done
because of the offence.
Division 2--Acquisition and Grant of Land
31. Acquisition of Aboriginal place
20
(1) The Minister may acquire, by agreement or
compulsory acquisition, any land that contains an
Aboriginal place if the Minister is satisfied that--
(a) the Aboriginal place is of such cultural
heritage significance to Aboriginal people
25
that it is irreplaceable; and
(b) no other practicable arrangements can be
made to ensure the proper protection and
maintenance of the Aboriginal place.
27
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(2) Subject to sub-sections (3) and (4), the Land
Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 applies
to a compulsory acquisition by the Minister under
this section and for that purpose--
(a) the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 is the
5
specified Act; and
(b) the Minister is the Authority.
(3) Despite anything to the contrary in the Land
Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986, land
acquired by the Minister under this section vests
10
in the Crown.
(4) A person is not entitled to compensation under the
Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986
or this Act for the value of an Aboriginal object or
Aboriginal human remains on or under the surface
15
of the land acquired under this section.
32. Grant of land
(1) The Governor in Council, on behalf of the Crown,
may grant to any registered Aboriginal party or
other Aboriginal person or body for an estate in
20
fee simple any land acquired under section 31.
(2) A Crown grant under this section is subject to any
terms, conditions, covenants, exceptions,
reservations and limitations that the Governor in
Council may determine.
25
(3) This section applies despite anything to the
contrary in the Land Act 1958.
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s. 33
Division 3--Control of Activities
33. Possession of Aboriginal object
(1) A person must not have in the person's possession
an Aboriginal object if the person knows, or ought
reasonably to know, that the object is an
5
Aboriginal object.
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
120 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate,
600 penalty units.
10
(2) A person who has an Aboriginal object in the
person's possession does not commit an offence
under sub-section (1) if--
(a) the person is acting--
(i) under the authority of another provision
15
of this Act that applies to the
Aboriginal cultural heritage; or
(ii) in accordance with a cultural heritage
permit, approved cultural heritage
management plan or cultural heritage
20
agreement that applies to the
Aboriginal cultural heritage; or
(b) the person is the owner of the Aboriginal
cultural heritage; or
(c) the person is acting with the consent of the
25
owner of the Aboriginal cultural heritage; or
(d) the person's possession of the object is
necessary because of an emergency.
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34. Control of activities
(1) Subject to this section, a person must not--
(a) disturb or excavate any land for the purpose
of uncovering or discovering Aboriginal
cultural heritage; or
5
(b) carry out scientific research on an Aboriginal
place or remove an Aboriginal object from
that place for the purpose of that research; or
(c) buy or sell an Aboriginal object; or
(d) remove an Aboriginal object from Victoria--
10
other than in accordance with the terms of a
cultural heritage permit if the person knows, or
ought reasonably to know, or is reckless as to
whether, the cultural heritage is Aboriginal
cultural heritage.
15
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
120 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate,
600 penalty units.
20 Note: A permit cannot be obtained in relation to Aboriginal
human remains or secret or sacred Aboriginal
objects: see section 37(1). The protection of
Aboriginal human remains and secret or sacred
Aboriginal objects is dealt with in Part 2.
(2) Sub-section (1) does not apply--
25
(a) to anything done in the course of preparing a
cultural heritage management plan in
accordance with Part 4; or
(b) to anything done in accordance with an
approved cultural heritage management plan;
30
or
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(c) to a public entity in respect of an Aboriginal
object or a collection of Aboriginal objects
that the public entity removes from Victoria
for the purpose of--
(i) lending the object or collection to a
5
person or body located outside
Victoria; or
(ii) returning the object or collection to a
person or body outside Victoria that
had lent the object or collection to the
10
public entity.
(3) In this section, "public entity" means--
(a) the Museums Board; or
(b) the Council of Trustees of the National
Gallery of Victoria (within the meaning of
15
the National Gallery of Victoria Act 1966);
or
(c) a university; or
(d) a gallery or museum conducted by a body
established for a public purpose.
20
35. Forfeiture of Aboriginal object to Crown
(1) On conviction for an offence against section 34
involving an Aboriginal object, in addition to any
other sentencing order imposed in respect of the
offence, the court by which the person was
25
convicted--
(a) must, if the object is owned by the person;
and
(b) may in all other cases--
order that the object be forfeited to the Crown.
30
(2) In this section, "conviction" includes a plea of
guilty or a finding of guilt by a court, even if a
conviction is not recorded.
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s. 36
Division 4--Cultural Heritage Permits
36. Application for cultural heritage permit
(1) A person may apply to the Secretary for a cultural
heritage permit authorising the person to do one or
more of the following--
5
(a) disturb or excavate any land for the purpose
of uncovering or discovering Aboriginal
cultural heritage;
(b) carry out scientific research on an Aboriginal
place (including the removal of Aboriginal
10
objects from that place for the purpose of
that research);
(c) carry out an activity that will, or is likely to,
harm Aboriginal cultural heritage;
(d) buy or sell an Aboriginal object;
15
(e) remove an Aboriginal object from Victoria.
(2) An application must--
(a) be made in the approved form; and
(b) be accompanied by the relevant prescribed
fee (if any).
20
37. Restrictions on grant of permit
(1) A cultural heritage permit must not be granted in
respect of Aboriginal human remains or a secret
or sacred Aboriginal object.
(2) A cultural heritage permit must not be granted for
25
an activity for which a cultural heritage
management plan is required under this Act.
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38. Referral of application to registered Aboriginal
party
(1) This section applies if the Aboriginal cultural
heritage in respect of which an application for a
cultural heritage permit has been made is--
5
(a) an Aboriginal place located within an area
for which there is a registered Aboriginal
party; or
(b) an Aboriginal object that the Secretary
reasonably believes to have originated from
10
an area for which there is a registered
Aboriginal party.
(2) Before determining the application, the Secretary
must give a copy of the application to each
registered Aboriginal party for the area.
15
(3) The Secretary may, in accordance with the
regulations, forward part of the prescribed
application fee (if any) to the registered
Aboriginal party.
39. Action by registered Aboriginal party on
20
application
(1) If a copy of an application is given to a registered
Aboriginal party under section 38, the registered
Aboriginal party may, within 30 days after
receiving the copy of the application, advise the
25
Secretary in writing that it--
(a) does not object to the granting of the cultural
heritage permit; or
(b) does not object if the cultural heritage permit
is subject to the conditions specified by the
30
registered Aboriginal party; or
(c) objects to the granting of the cultural
heritage permit on any specified ground.
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(2) The conditions specified by the registered
Aboriginal party under sub-section (1)(b)--
(a) may include a condition that something be
done to the satisfaction of the registered
Aboriginal party; and
5
(b) must not include a condition that the
applicant pay or give money or money's
worth to the registered Aboriginal party.
(3) Before giving the Secretary written advice under
sub-section (1), the registered Aboriginal party
10
may--
(a) request further information from the
applicant for the cultural heritage permit; and
(b) if the application relates to Aboriginal
cultural heritage that is located on or within
15
land, ask the occupier of the land for
permission to inspect the land to determine
the likely impact on the Aboriginal cultural
heritage of the activity for which the cultural
heritage permit is sought.
20
(4) A registered Aboriginal party may request the
assistance of an inspector for the purpose of
conducting an inspection under sub-section (3)(b).
40. Determination of application
(1) The Secretary must consider every application for
25
a cultural heritage permit.
(2) After considering an application, the Secretary
may decide--
(a) to grant the cultural heritage permit; or
(b) to refuse to grant the cultural heritage permit.
30
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(3) The Secretary must decide to refuse to grant the
permit if a registered Aboriginal party objects
within the time allowed by section 39 to the
granting of the cultural heritage permit.
(4) If the grant of a cultural heritage permit would
5
authorise an activity that would, or would be
likely to, harm Aboriginal cultural heritage, the
Secretary must, before granting the permit,
consider--
(a) the nature of the Aboriginal cultural heritage;
10
and
(b) the impact, or the likely impact, of the
activity on the Aboriginal cultural heritage;
and
(c) the extent to which the harm to the
15
Aboriginal cultural heritage could be
minimised.
41. Conditions on cultural heritage permits
(1) In deciding to grant a cultural heritage permit, the
Secretary must--
20
(a) include in the permit any condition that a
registered Aboriginal party reasonably
requires under section 39 to be included; and
(b) not include in the permit additional
conditions that conflict with any condition
25
included under paragraph (a).
(2) Subject to sub-section (1)(b), the Secretary may
include in the cultural heritage permit any other
conditions that the Secretary considers appropriate
including--
30
(a) a condition that the activity authorised by the
cultural heritage permit be supervised by a
cultural heritage advisor; and
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Part 3--Protection of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
s. 41
(b) a condition that any Aboriginal cultural
heritage found in the course of the activity
authorised by the cultural heritage permit be
conserved in a way specified in the permit;
and
5
(c) a condition that specified things are to be
done to the satisfaction of the Secretary.
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s. 42
PART 4--CULTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLANS
Division 1--What is a Cultural Heritage Management Plan?
42. What is a cultural heritage management plan?
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the preparation of a
cultural heritage management plan for an area
5
involves--
(a) an assessment of the area to determine the
nature of any Aboriginal cultural heritage
present in the area; and
(b) a written report setting out--
10
(i) the results of the assessment; and
(ii) recommendations for measures to be
taken before, during and after an
activity to manage and protect the
Aboriginal cultural heritage identified
15
in the assessment.
(2) The written report is the cultural heritage
management plan.
43. Procedure for assessment
(1) An assessment for the purposes of a cultural
20
heritage management plan must comply with the
prescribed standards.
(2) Without limiting the range of activities that may
be undertaken during an assessment of an area for
the purposes of a cultural heritage management
25
plan, the assessment may include--
(a) research into information relating to
Aboriginal cultural heritage; and
(b) a ground survey to detect the presence of
Aboriginal cultural heritage; and
30
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(c) the disturbance or excavation of land to
uncover or discover Aboriginal cultural
heritage.
44. Who may prepare a plan?
(1) Any person, other than the Minister, may be the
5
sponsor of a cultural heritage management plan.
(2) Without limiting sub-section (1), the following
may sponsor a cultural heritage management
plan--
(a) the Secretary;
10
(b) a municipal council;
(c) a registered Aboriginal party;
(d) a representative of a registered Aboriginal
party appointed for that purpose by the party
and acting on behalf of the party;
15
(e) the proponent of an activity;
(f) a representative of a proponent of an activity
appointed for that purpose by the proponent
and acting on behalf of the proponent.
45. Voluntary cultural heritage management plan
20
A person may prepare a cultural heritage
management plan even if the plan is not required
under this Act.
Division 2--When is a Cultural Heritage Management
Plan Required?
25
46. Mandatory cultural heritage management plans
A cultural heritage management plan is required
under this Part for a proposed activity if--
(a) the regulations require the preparation of the
plan for the activity; or
30
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(b) the Minister directs the preparation of a plan
for the activity under section 48; or
(c) a plan is required for the activity under
section 49.
47. Regulations may require plan
5
The regulations may specify the circumstances in
which a cultural heritage management plan is
required for an activity or class of activity.
48. Minister may require plan
(1) The Minister may direct a person who proposes to
10
carry out an activity to prepare a cultural heritage
management plan before commencing the activity.
(2) If a person receives a direction from the Minister
under this section, the person must not knowingly
commence the activity to which the direction
15
relates without first preparing a cultural heritage
management plan.
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
240 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate,
20
1200 penalty units.
(3) If the Minister gives a direction to a person under
this section, the Minister must, within 14 days
after giving the direction, give notice of the
direction to the responsible authority for the land
25
on which the proposed activity is to be carried out.
(4) In this section, "responsible authority" has the
same meaning as in the Planning and
Environment Act 1987.
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49. Plan required if Environment Effects Statement
required
(1) This section applies if a proponent or other person
is required to prepare an Environment Effects
Statement under the Environment Effects
5
Act 1978 in respect of any works.
(2) The proponent or other person must, before
commencing the works, also prepare a cultural
heritage management plan for the area in which
the works are to be carried out.
10
(3) In this section--
"Environment Effects Statement" and
"proponent" have the same meanings as in
the Environment Effects Act 1978;
"works" includes "public works" within the
15
meaning of the Environment Effects
Act 1978.
Division 3--Other Authorisations Suspended Until
Plan Prepared
50. Definitions
20
In this Division--
"decision maker", in relation to statutory
authorisation, means a person or body
empowered under an Act or regulations to
grant that authorisation;
25
"earth resource authorisation" means any of
the following--
(a) an approval given under section 40 of
the Mineral Resources Development
Act 1990;
30
(b) a work authority granted under
section 19 of the Extractive Industries
Development Act 1995;
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(c) a written consent given under
section 138 of the Petroleum
Act 1998;
(d) the acceptance under Division 3 of
Part 9 of the Pipelines Act 2005 of an
5
Environment Management Plan;
(e) a licence to construct and operate a
pipeline under the Pipelines Act 1967;
(f) a written consent given under
section 80 of the Geothermal Energy
10
Resources Act 2005;
(g) the acceptance by the Minister under
the regulations made under the
Petroleum (Submerged Lands)
Act 1982 of an environment plan;
15
"earth resource law" means any of the
following--
(a) the Mineral Resources Development
Act 1990;
(b) the Extractive Industries
20
Development Act 1995;
(c) the Petroleum Act 1998;
(d) the Pipelines Act 2005;
(e) the Pipelines Act 1967;
(f) the Geothermal Energy Resources
25
Act 2005;
(g) the Petroleum (Submerged Lands)
Act 1982 and any regulations made
under that Act;
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"statutory authorisation" means any of the
following--
(a) a permit under the Planning and
Environment Act 1987 to use or
develop land for all or part or an
5
activity;
(b) an amendment to a permit referred in
paragraph (a) if the amendment allows
a change to the use or development of
the land for all or part of the activity;
10
(c) an earth resource authorisation;
(d) an amendment to an earth resource
authorisation if the amendment allows a
change to the activity authorised by that
authorisation;
15
(e) an approval under any Act or
regulations to develop land for all or
part of an activity, other than an
approval--
(i) under the Planning and
20
Environment Act 1987; or
(ii) under an earth resource law; or
(iii) that is required for a purpose that
relates to a purpose for which an
earth resource authorisation is also
25
required;
(f) the amendment to an approval included
in this definition by paragraph (e) that
allows a change to the development of
the land for all or part of an activity.
30
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51. Application of Division
This Division applies if a sponsor proposes to
carry out an activity--
(a) for which a cultural heritage management
plan is required under this Part; and
5
(b) for which the sponsor must also obtain a
statutory authorisation before the sponsor
can carry out the activity.
52. Plan must be prepared before authorisation given
(1) The decision maker must not grant a statutory
10
authorisation for the activity unless a cultural
heritage management plan is approved under this
Part in respect of the activity.
Note: This section does not prevent a sponsor from lodging
15 an application for a statutory authorisation before a
cultural heritage management plan is approved.
(2) The sponsor must give a copy of the approved
cultural heritage management plan to the decision
maker.
(3) The decision maker must not grant a statutory
20
authorisation for the activity if the activity would
be inconsistent with the approved cultural heritage
management plan.
(4) If the decision maker is required to decide
whether to grant the statutory authorisation within
25
a certain period, that period is deemed not to
commence until the decision maker receives a
copy of the approved cultural heritage
management plan.
(5) Sub-section (4) does not affect any period for
30
making a decision that is preliminary to the
decision whether to grant the statutory
authorisation.
(6) This section applies despite anything to the
contrary in any other Act.
35
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Division 4--Preparation of Cultural Heritage
Management Plans
53. Cultural heritage management plan to be prepared
in accordance with prescribed standards
(1) The sponsor of a cultural heritage management
5
plan must ensure that the plan is prepared in
accordance with the prescribed standards.
(2) The sponsor of a cultural heritage management
plan must ensure that all activities undertaken
during the assessment of an area for the purposes
10
of a cultural heritage management plan comply
with the regulations.
54. Notice of intention to prepare cultural heritage
management plan
(1) The sponsor of a cultural heritage management
15
plan must give written notice of the sponsor's
intention to prepare the plan--
(a) to each relevant registered Aboriginal party;
and
(b) to the Secretary (unless the Secretary is the
20
sponsor); and
(c) to the owner or occupier of any land within
the area to which the plan relates.
(2) The sponsor must give the notice referred to in
sub-section (1) before commencing the
25
preparation of the plan.
(3) A notice under this section must--
(a) contain the name and contact details of the
sponsor; and
(b) contain a description of the proposed activity
30
to which the plan relates; and
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(c) clearly identify the area in respect of which
the plan is to be prepared; and
(d) specify the dates within which the plan is
proposed to be prepared.
55. Registered Aboriginal parties may elect to evaluate
5
plan
(1) This section applies if a registered Aboriginal
party receives notice under this Division of an
intention to prepare a cultural heritage
management plan.
10
(2) Within 14 days of receiving the notice, the
registered Aboriginal party must give written
notice to the sponsor specifying whether or not it
intends to evaluate the plan.
56. Sponsor to notify Secretary of intention of
15
registered Aboriginal party
(1) If the sponsor of a cultural heritage management
plan gives notice to a registered Aboriginal party
under section 54, the sponsor must notify the
Secretary if the registered Aboriginal party--
20
(a) declines under section 55 to evaluate the
plan; or
(b) fails to respond to the notice from the
sponsor within 14 days after receiving the
notice.
25
(2) This section does not apply if the sponsor is the
Secretary.
57. Newly registered Aboriginal parties
(1) This section applies if a body becomes a
registered Aboriginal party for the area to which a
30
proposed cultural heritage management plan
relates--
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(a) after the date on which--
(i) the relevant sponsor gave notice to the
Secretary under section 54; or
(ii) if the Secretary is the sponsor, the
Secretary gave notice under section 54;
5
and
(b) before the intended date of commencement
of preparation of the plan.
(2) As soon as possible, the Secretary must give the
sponsor the contact details of the registered
10
Aboriginal party.
(3) Sub-section (2) does not apply if the Secretary is
the sponsor.
(4) Sections 54, 55 and 56 apply as if the registered
Aboriginal party had been registered for the area
15
to which the plan relates at the time--
(a) the sponsor gave notice to the Secretary
under section 54; or
(b) if the Secretary is the sponsor, the Secretary
gave notice under section 54.
20
58. Engagement of cultural heritage advisor
The sponsor of a cultural heritage management
plan must engage a cultural heritage advisor to
assist in the preparation of the plan.
59. Obligations of sponsor and registered Aboriginal
25
party
(1) This section applies if a registered Aboriginal
party gives notice under section 55 of its intention
to evaluate a cultural heritage management plan.
(2) The sponsor must make reasonable efforts to
30
consult with the registered Aboriginal party before
beginning the assessment and during the
preparation of the plan.
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(3) The registered Aboriginal party must use
reasonable efforts to co-operate with the sponsor
in the preparation of the plan.
60. Registered Aboriginal party may also advise
A registered Aboriginal party that gives notice
5
under section 55 of its intention to evaluate a
cultural heritage management plan may also do all
or any of the following--
(a) consult with the sponsor in relation to the
assessment of the area for the purposes of the
10
plan;
(b) consult with the sponsor in relation to the
recommendations to be included in the plan;
(c) participate in the conduct of the assessment.
Division 5--Approval of Cultural Heritage
15
Management Plans
61. Matters to be considered in relation to a plan
The following matters are to be considered in
assessing whether a cultural heritage management
plan relating to an activity is to be approved--
20
(a) whether the activity will be conducted in a
way that avoids harm to Aboriginal cultural
heritage;
(b) if it does not appear to be possible to conduct
the activity in a way that avoids harm to
25
Aboriginal cultural heritage, whether the
activity will be conducted in a way that
minimises harm to Aboriginal cultural
heritage;
(c) any specific measures required for the
30
management of Aboriginal cultural heritage
likely to be affected by the activity, both
during and after the activity;
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(d) any contingency plans required in relation to
disputes, delays and other obstacles that may
affect the conduct of the activity;
(e) requirements relating to the custody and
management of Aboriginal cultural heritage
5
during the course of the activity.
62. Application to registered Aboriginal party for
approval
(1) This section applies if one or more registered
Aboriginal parties have given notice under
10
section 55 of their intention to evaluate a cultural
heritage management plan.
(2) The sponsor must apply to each of those
registered Aboriginal parties for approval of the
plan.
15
(3) An application under sub-section (2) must be
accompanied by the relevant prescribed fee
(if any).
(4) The sponsor and each registered Aboriginal party
referred to in sub-section (1) must make every
20
reasonable effort to reach agreement on the
matters set out in section 61.
63. Decision by registered Aboriginal party
(1) A registered Aboriginal party must, within
30 days after receiving an application under
25
section 62--
(a) decide--
(i) to approve the plan; or
(ii) to refuse to approve the plan; and
(b) give written notice of the decision to the
30
sponsor and each other registered Aboriginal
party referred to in section 62.
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(2) If a dispute in relation to the cultural heritage
management plan is referred to the Chairperson of
the Council under Subdivision 1 of Division 1 of
Part 8, the period referred to in sub-section (1)
ceases to run until the Chairperson certifies in
5
writing that the dispute has been resolved or that
alternative dispute resolution has failed, or is
unlikely, to resolve the dispute.
(3) A registered Aboriginal party must refuse to
approve the plan if it has not been prepared in
10
accordance with the standards prescribed for the
purposes of section 53.
(4) A registered Aboriginal party may otherwise only
refuse to approve the plan if the registered
Aboriginal party is not satisfied that the plan
15
adequately addresses the matters set out in
section 61.
64. When does a plan approved by a registered
Aboriginal party take effect?
(1) Subject to sub-section (2), a cultural heritage
20
management plan takes effect as an approved
cultural heritage management plan when--
(a) it is approved by each registered Aboriginal
party to which an application is required to
be made under section 62; and
25
(b) the sponsor lodges the following with the
Secretary--
(i) a copy of the plan; and
(ii) a copy of each notice of approval
received by the sponsor under
30
section 63(1)(b).
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(2) If the approval of more than one registered
Aboriginal party is required in relation to a
cultural heritage management plan and one or
more of those parties fails to comply with section
63(1) within the required time and each of the
5
other registered Aboriginal parties has approved
the plan, the plan takes effect as an approved
cultural heritage management plan when the
sponsor lodges the following with the Secretary--
(a) a copy of the plan; and
10
(b) a copy of each notice of approval received
by the sponsor under section 63(1)(b).
65. Approval by Secretary
(1) A sponsor may apply to the Secretary for approval
of a cultural heritage management plan if--
15
(a) the sponsor is not the Secretary; and
(b) one of the following applies--
(i) there is no relevant registered
Aboriginal party in relation to the plan;
(ii) no relevant registered Aboriginal party
20
has given notice to the sponsor under
section 55 within the time required by
that section;
(iii) all of the relevant registered Aboriginal
parties have given the sponsor notice
25
under section 55 that they do not wish
to evaluate the plan;
(iv) no relevant registered Aboriginal party
has given notice to the sponsor under
section 63(1) within the time required
30
by that section.
(2) Within 30 days after receiving the application, the
Secretary must decide whether to approve the plan
or to refuse to approve the plan.
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(3) In considering the application, the Secretary must
consult with, and consider the views of, any
Aboriginal person or Aboriginal body that the
Secretary considers relevant to the application.
(4) The Secretary must refuse to approve the plan if it
5
has not been prepared in accordance with the
standards prescribed for the purposes of
section 53.
(5) The Secretary may otherwise only refuse to
approve the plan if the Secretary is not satisfied
10
that the plan adequately addresses the matters set
out in section 61.
(6) A cultural heritage management plan approved by
the Secretary takes effect on that approval.
66. Approval by Council
15
(1) If the Secretary is the sponsor of a cultural
heritage management plan, the Secretary may
apply to the Council for approval of the plan if--
(a) there is no relevant registered Aboriginal
party in relation to the plan; or
20
(b) no relevant registered Aboriginal party has
given notice to the Secretary under
section 55 within the time required by that
section; or
(c) all of the relevant registered Aboriginal
25
parties have given the Secretary notice under
section 55 that they do not wish to evaluate
the plan; or
(d) no relevant registered Aboriginal party has
given notice to the Secretary under
30
section 63(1) within the time required by that
section.
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(2) Within 60 days after receiving the application, the
Council must decide whether to approve or to
refuse to approve the plan.
(3) In considering the application, the Council must
consult with, and consider the views of, any
5
Aboriginal person or Aboriginal body that the
Council considers relevant to the application.
(4) The Council must refuse to approve the plan if it
has not been prepared in accordance with the
standards prescribed for the purposes of
10
section 53.
(5) The Council may otherwise only refuse to approve
the plan if the Council is not satisfied that the plan
adequately addresses the matters set out in
section 61.
15
(6) A cultural heritage plan approved by the Council
takes effect on that approval.
Division 6--General
67. Sponsor must give assessment documentation to
Secretary
20
(1) The sponsor of an approved cultural heritage
management plan (other than the Secretary) must,
within 14 days after the approval of the plan, give
to the Secretary in the approved form (if any) all
assessment documentation relating to Aboriginal
25
cultural heritage prepared or obtained in the
course of the conduct of the assessment for the
plan.
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
60 penalty units;
30
In the case of a body corporate,
300 penalty units.
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(2) If the sponsor of a cultural heritage management
plan (other than the Secretary) decides to
discontinue the preparation of the plan, or the
activity to which the plan relates, at any time
before the plan or activity is completed, the
5
sponsor must give the following to the Secretary
within 14 days after deciding to discontinue the
plan or activity--
(a) notice of the decision to discontinue;
(b) in the approved form (if any), all assessment
10
documentation relating to Aboriginal cultural
heritage prepared or obtained in the course of
the preparation of the plan.
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
60 penalty units;
15
In the case of a body corporate,
300 penalty units.
(3) In this section, "assessment documentation"
includes site records, photographs, maps, plans
and any prescribed documentation relating to the
20
assessment for the cultural heritage management
plan or the plan itself.
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Part 5--Cultural Heritage Agreements
s. 68
PART 5--CULTURAL HERITAGE AGREEMENTS
Division 1--Making and Amendment of Agreements
68. What is a cultural heritage agreement?
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a cultural heritage
agreement is an agreement between 2 or more
5
persons relating to the management or protection
of Aboriginal cultural heritage.
(2) Without limiting the matters that may be dealt
with by a cultural heritage agreement, a cultural
heritage agreement may deal with any of the
10
following--
(a) the protection, maintenance or use of land
containing an Aboriginal place;
(b) the protection, maintenance or use of
Aboriginal objects;
15
(c) rights of access to, or use of, Aboriginal
places or objects by Aboriginal people;
(d) the rehabilitation of Aboriginal places or
objects.
(3) Despite sub-sections (1) and (2), a cultural
20
heritage agreement may not deal with any activity
for which a cultural heritage permit or a cultural
heritage management plan is required under this
Act.
(4) A cultural heritage agreement has effect as an
25
agreement under seal.
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69. Parties to a cultural heritage agreement
(1) Any person may be a party to a cultural heritage
agreement, including--
(a) the Secretary; and
(b) if the agreement relates to Crown land, any
5
person responsible for the management of
that land; and
(c) if the agreement relates to other land, the
owner of that land.
(2) At least one of the parties to a cultural heritage
10
agreement must be a registered Aboriginal party.
70. Form of cultural heritage agreement
(1) A cultural heritage agreement must be in the
approved form.
(2) A cultural heritage agreement may provide for the
15
person who owns or possesses the Aboriginal
cultural heritage the subject of the agreement to be
bound by the covenants specified in the
agreement.
(3) If a cultural heritage agreement relates to an
20
Aboriginal place, the agreement must include a
map, plan or description of the boundaries of the
land affected by the agreement.
(4) A map included in a cultural heritage agreement
under sub-section (3) must comply with the
25
prescribed standards (if any).
71. Amendment of cultural heritage agreement
A cultural heritage agreement may be amended by
agreement between the parties (an "amending
agreement").
30
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72. Agreement of no effect without consent of registered
Aboriginal parties
(1) A cultural heritage agreement or amending
agreement that relates to an Aboriginal place does
not take effect until each registered Aboriginal
5
party for the area in which the Aboriginal place is
located consents in writing to the making of the
agreement or amending agreement.
(2) A cultural heritage agreement or an amending
agreement that relates to an Aboriginal object
10
does not take effect until each registered
Aboriginal party for the area from which the
Aboriginal object is reasonably believed to have
originated consents in writing to the making of the
agreement or amending agreement.
15
73. When does a cultural heritage agreement begin?
Subject to section 72, a cultural heritage
agreement may provide that it comes into effect--
(a) on the execution of the agreement; or
(b) on the happening of a specified event; or
20
(c) at a specified time.
74. When does a cultural heritage agreement end?
A cultural heritage agreement may provide that it
ends wholly or in part or as to any part of any
land--
25
(a) on the happening of a specified event; or
(b) at a specified time; or
(c) by agreement between the parties.
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Division 2--Lodgement and Registration of Agreements
75. Cultural heritage agreements to be lodged with
Secretary
(1) The relevant registered Aboriginal party must
lodge a copy of a cultural heritage agreement with
5
the Secretary without delay after the agreement is
made.
(2) The relevant registered Aboriginal party must
notify the Secretary in writing without delay of
any amendment to or ending of a cultural heritage
10
agreement.
(3) This section does not apply in relation to a cultural
heritage agreement to which the Secretary is a
party.
76. Registration of cultural heritage agreements
15
(1) This section applies if a cultural heritage
agreement relating to land contains a provision
requiring its registration under this section.
(2) The Secretary must apply to the Registrar of Titles
for the registration of any cultural heritage
20
agreement that relates to an activity on land other
than Crown land and to which the owner of the
land is a party.
(3) An application under this section must be in a
form approved by the Registrar of Titles and
25
include a copy of the cultural heritage agreement
to which it relates.
(4) The Registrar of Titles must make a recording of
the cultural heritage agreement in the Register
kept under the Transfer of Land Act 1958.
30
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77. Effect of registration
After the making of a recording in the Register
kept under the Transfer of Land Act 1958--
(a) the burden of any covenant in the cultural
heritage agreement runs with the land
5
affected; and
(b) the Secretary or the relevant registered
Aboriginal party may enforce the covenant
against any person deriving title from any
person who entered into the covenant as if it
10
were a restrictive covenant despite the fact
that it may be positive in nature or that it is
not for the benefit of any land of the
Secretary or the relevant registered
Aboriginal party.
15
78. Governor in Council may release covenant
(1) If the owner of any land who is bound by a
covenant in a cultural heritage agreement is
unable to reach agreement with the Secretary or
the relevant registered Aboriginal party for the
20
release of the covenant, the Governor in Council
may determine the matter.
(2) The Secretary, the relevant registered Aboriginal
party or the owner (as the case requires) must give
effect to a determination under sub-section (1) of
25
the Governor in Council.
79. Cancellation or amendment of registration
(1) This section applies to a cultural heritage
agreement that is recorded in the Register kept
under the Transfer of Land Act 1958.
30
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(2) The Secretary must advise the Registrar of Titles
without delay of--
(a) the ending of the agreement relating wholly
or in part or as to any part of the land; or
(b) an amendment to the agreement.
5
(3) The Registrar of Titles must, as appropriate,
cancel in whole or in part or alter the recording of
the cultural heritage agreement in the Register
kept under the Transfer of Land Act 1958.
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Act No.
Part 6--Cultural Heritage Audits and Stop Orders
s. 80
PART 6--CULTURAL HERITAGE AUDITS AND STOP
ORDERS
Division 1--Cultural Heritage Audits
80. What is a cultural heritage audit?
For the purposes of this Act, a cultural heritage
5
audit is an assessment of the impact of an activity
on Aboriginal cultural heritage.
81. When can a cultural heritage audit be ordered?
(1) The Minister may order a cultural heritage audit to
be carried out if, on the advice of the Secretary,
10
the Council or an inspector, the Minister
reasonably believes that--
(a) the sponsor of an approved cultural heritage
management plan has contravened, or is
likely to contravene, the recommendations in
15
the plan; or
(b) the holder of a cultural heritage permit has
contravened, or is likely to contravene a
condition of the permit; or
(c) the impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage of
20
an activity to which an approved cultural
heritage management plan or a cultural
heritage permit applies will be greater than
that determined at the time the plan was
approved or the permit was granted.
25
(2) The Minister must give notice of a decision to
order a cultural heritage audit--
(a) if the audit relates to an approved cultural
heritage management plan, to the sponsor of
the plan and each registered Aboriginal party
30
that evaluated the plan; or
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(b) if the audit relates to a cultural heritage
permit, to the holder of the permit and each
relevant registered Aboriginal party.
82. Requirement of cultural heritage audit
In ordering a cultural heritage audit under
5
section 81, the Minister must specify--
(a) the matters to be addressed by the audit; and
(b) the period within which the audit is to be
completed.
83. Conduct of cultural heritage audit
10
(1) A cultural heritage audit must be conducted by or
under the direction of an inspector.
(2) The Secretary may direct the sponsor of a cultural
heritage management plan or the holder of a
cultural heritage permit to which a cultural
15
heritage audit relates to engage a cultural heritage
advisor to conduct the audit.
(3) If the Secretary directs a sponsor or the holder of a
cultural heritage permit to engage a cultural
heritage advisor to conduct a cultural heritage
20
audit, the sponsor must comply with the direction.
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
120 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate,
600 penalty units.
25
(4) A person engaged as a cultural heritage advisor to
conduct a cultural heritage audit must comply
with--
(a) a direction of an inspector requiring the
person to give the inspector a written report
30
of the findings of the audit; and
(b) any other reasonable direction of the
inspector.
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(5) If the Secretary directs a sponsor or the holder of a
cultural heritage permit to engage a cultural
heritage advisor to conduct a cultural heritage
audit, the Secretary must pay the fees and
reasonable expenses of the cultural heritage
5
advisor in conducting the audit.
84. Report of cultural heritage audit
(1) An inspector who conducts, or directs the conduct
of, a cultural heritage audit must give a written
report of the findings of the audit to the Minister.
10
(2) The report may--
(a) identify any apparent contravention of an
approved cultural heritage management plan
or cultural heritage permit;
(b) recommend amendments to the
15
recommendations of the approved cultural
heritage management plan or the conditions
of the cultural heritage permit applying to the
activity to which the audit relates;
(c) recommend arrangements for the access of
20
inspectors to the location at which the
activity is being carried out;
(d) recommend other measures in relation to the
conduct of the activity to avoid or minimise
harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage.
25
85. Approval of report of audit
(1) The Minister may approve the report of a cultural
heritage audit.
(2) The Minister must not approve the report of a
cultural heritage audit on an approved cultural
30
heritage management plan unless the Minister is
satisfied that the recommendations included in the
report are consistent with the standards prescribed
for the purposes of section 53.
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86. Notification and effect of approval
(1) This section applies if the Minister approves the
report of a cultural heritage audit.
(2) The Minister must give notice of the approval--
(a) to any registered Aboriginal party for the
5
area in which the activity to which the audit
relates is being carried out; and
(b) if the audit relates to an approved cultural
heritage management plan, to the sponsor of
the plan; and
10
(c) if the audit relates to a cultural heritage
permit, to the holder of the permit.
(3) If the audit relates to an approved cultural heritage
management plan and the report of the audit
recommends amendments to the recommendations
15
of the plan--
(a) the Minister may amend the plan in
accordance with the recommendations; and
(b) the plan, as amended, becomes the approved
cultural heritage management plan for the
20
purposes of this Act.
(4) If the audit relates to a cultural heritage permit and
the report of the audit recommends amendments
to the conditions of the permit--
(a) the Secretary must amend the conditions of
25
the permit in accordance with the
recommendations; and
(b) the permit, as amended, becomes the cultural
heritage permit for the purposes of this Act.
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Division 2--Stop Orders
87. When can a stop order be issued?
(1) The Minister or an inspector may issue a stop
order to a person if--
(a) the person is carrying out, or proposes to
5
carry out, an activity; and
(b) the Minister or inspector is satisfied that
there are reasonable grounds for believing
that the carrying out of the activity is
harming, or is likely to harm, Aboriginal
10
cultural heritage; and
(c) the Minister or inspector is satisfied that
there are reasonable grounds for believing
that the Aboriginal cultural heritage could
not be properly protected unless a stop order
15
is issued.
(2) A stop order must be in the approved form.
88. Stop order required for cultural heritage audit
If the Minister orders a cultural heritage audit, the
Minister must issue a stop order to the person
20
carrying out the activity to which the audit relates
requiring the person to stop the activity
immediately.
89. What can a stop order do?
(1) A stop order issued to a person may--
25
(a) require the person to stop immediately the
activity specified in the order; or
(b) prohibit the person from starting the activity
specified in the order.
(2) Nothing in a stop order prevents action being
30
taken to give effect to recommendations in the
report of a cultural heritage audit conducted while
the stop order is in force.
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90. How is a stop order delivered?
(1) A stop order must be delivered to the person to
whom it applies--
(a) in person; or
(b) if it is not reasonably practicable to deliver it
5
in person, by affixing it to a prominent
position at the place where the activity is
being carried out or is to be carried out; or
(c) if the person is a body corporate, by giving it
to the person apparently supervising or in
10
charge of the activity to which the stop order
relates.
(2) The Minister (or a person authorised by the
Minister) or an inspector may enter any land or
premises at any time for the purpose of delivering
15
a stop order in accordance with this section.
91. How long does a stop order operate?
(1) Subject to sub-section (2), unless it is sooner
revoked, a stop order operates from the time it is
issued until the end of the earlier of--
20
(a) 30 days; or
(b) the period specified in the order.
(2) A stop order issued in relation to a cultural
heritage audit operates until the Minister revokes
the order under section 93.
25
92. Extension of stop order
Before a stop order ceases to operate, the Minister
may extend the stop order once only for a further
period of up to 14 days.
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93. Revocation of stop order
(1) A stop order may be revoked--
(a) if issued by the Minister--by the Minister;
or
(b) if issued by an inspector--by the Minister or
5
the inspector.
(2) The Minister must revoke a stop order issued in
relation to a cultural heritage audit after the report
of the audit is approved under section 85.
94. Further stop order
10
If a stop order has been issued in respect of an
activity, the Minister or an inspector may only
issue a further stop order to a person in respect of
that activity if the circumstances relating to that
activity have substantially changed.
15
95. Offence to fail to comply with stop order
(1) A person issued with a stop order must not engage
in any conduct that the person knows is conduct
that contravenes the stop order.
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
20
1800 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate,
10 000 penalty units.
(2) An offence under this section is an indictable
offence.
25
Note: The provisions of Division 12 of Part I of the Crimes
Act 1958 (which deal with attempts) apply to
indictable offences against this Act.
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Act No.
Part 7--Protection Declarations
s. 96
PART 7--PROTECTION DECLARATIONS
Division 1--Interim Protection Declarations
96. Interim protection declarations
(1) The Minister may make an interim protection
declaration in relation to a place or object if the
5
Minister is satisfied that--
(a) the place or object is an Aboriginal place or
object; and
(b) it is appropriate, having regard to the
importance of maintaining the relationship
10
between Aboriginal people and the place or
object, that an interim protection declaration
be made in relation to the place or object.
(2) An interim protection declaration may be made--
(a) on the application of the Council; or
15
(b) on the application of a relevant registered
Aboriginal party; or
(c) on the Minister's own initiative.
97. What must an interim protection declaration
provide for?
20
An interim protection declaration must--
(a) be in the approved form; and
(b) clearly identify the Aboriginal place or
object to which it relates; and
(c) specify the measures to be taken for the
25
protection of the Aboriginal place or object;
and
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(d) if appropriate, specify the person responsible
for taking the measures specified under
paragraph (c); and
(e) contain the prescribed information (if any).
5 Example
An interim protection declaration could specify measures
that restrict or prohibit access to, or interference with, an
Aboriginal place or object.
98. Period of interim protection declaration
(1) Subject to sub-section (2), an interim protection
10
declaration operates from the time it is made until
the end of the earlier of--
(a) 3 months after the day on which it is made;
or
(b) the period specified in the declaration.
15
(2) Before an interim protection declaration ceases to
operate, the Minister may extend the declaration
once only for a further period of up to 3 months
on his or her own initiative, or at the request of the
Council or a registered Aboriginal party for the
20
area to which the Aboriginal place or object the
subject of the declaration relates.
99. Amendment or revocation of interim protection
declaration
The Minister may, at any time, amend or revoke
25
an interim protection declaration--
(a) on the application of the Council; or
(b) on the application of a relevant registered
Aboriginal party; or
(c) on the Minister's own initiative.
30
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100. Minister to consult
Before making, amending, extending or revoking
an interim protection declaration, the Minister
must--
(a) consult with the Council about the proposal;
5
and
(b) give any person who the Minister reasonably
considers is likely to be affected by the
proposal 14 days' written notice of the
proposal; and
10
(c) give each person to whom notice is given
under paragraph (b) the opportunity to be
heard with respect to the proposal.
101. Publication of declaration
(1) The Minister must publish in the Government
15
Gazette and in a newspaper circulating generally
in the area to which an interim protection
declaration relates--
(a) the interim protection declaration; or
(b) an amendment to the interim protection
20
declaration; or
(c) notice of the extension or revocation of the
interim protection declaration.
(2) A declaration, amendment, extension or
revocation does not take effect until the
25
declaration or amendment or the notice of
extension or revocation is published in the
Government Gazette.
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102. Offence to contravene interim protection
declaration
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if--
(a) the person engages in conduct that
contravenes an interim protection
5
declaration; and
(b) at the time of engaging in the conduct, the
person knew of the existence of the
declaration.
(2) A person who is guilty of an offence under sub-
10
section (1) is liable to a penalty not exceeding--
(a) in the case of a natural person, 1800 penalty
units;
(b) in the case of a body corporate,
10 000 penalty units.
15
(3) A person is guilty of an offence if--
(a) the person engages in conduct that
contravenes an interim protection
declaration; and
(b) at the time of engaging in the conduct, the
20
person was reckless as to the existence of the
declaration.
(4) A person who is guilty of an offence under sub-
section (3) is liable to a penalty not exceeding--
(a) in the case of a natural person, 1200 penalty
25
units;
(b) in the case of a body corporate, 6000 penalty
units.
(5) In this section, "engage in conduct" means--
(a) to do an act; or
30
(b) omit to do an act.
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(6) An offence under this section is an indictable
offence.
Note: The provisions of Division 12 of Part I of the Crimes
Act 1958 (which deal with attempts) apply to
5 indictable offences against this Act.
(7) A person who engages in conduct that contravenes
an interim protection declaration does not commit
an offence under this section if the conduct in
which the person engaged was necessary because
of an emergency.
10
Division 2--Ongoing Protection Declarations
103. Ongoing protection declarations
(1) The Minister may make an ongoing protection
declaration in relation to a place or object if the
Minister is satisfied that--
15
(a) the place or object is an Aboriginal place or
object; and
(b) it is appropriate, having regard to the
importance of maintaining the relationship
between Aboriginal people and the place or
20
object, that an ongoing protection declaration
be made in relation to the place or object.
(2) An ongoing protection declaration may be
made--
(a) on the application of the Council; or
25
(b) on the application of a relevant registered
Aboriginal party; or
(c) on the Minister's own initiative.
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104. What must an ongoing protection declaration
provide for?
An ongoing protection declaration must--
(a) be in the approved form; and
(b) clearly identify the Aboriginal place or
5
object to which it relates; and
(c) specify the measures to be taken for the
protection of the Aboriginal place or object;
and
(d) if appropriate, specify the person responsible
10
for taking the measures specified under
paragraph (c); and
(e) contain the prescribed information (if any).
Example
15 An ongoing protection declaration could specify measures
that restrict or prohibit access to, or interference with, an
Aboriginal place or object.
105. Amendment or revocation of ongoing protection
declaration
The Minister may, at any time, amend or revoke
20
an ongoing protection declaration--
(a) on the application of the Council; or
(b) on the application of a relevant registered
Aboriginal party; or
(c) on the Minister's own initiative.
25
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106. Minister to consult
Before making, amending or revoking an ongoing
protection declaration, the Minister must--
(a) consult with the Council about the proposal;
and
5
(b) give any person who the Minister reasonably
considers is likely to be affected by the
proposal 14 days' written notice of the
proposal; and
(c) give each person to whom notice is given
10
under paragraph (b) the opportunity to be
heard with respect to the proposal to make,
amend or revoke the declaration.
107. Publication of declaration
(1) The Minister must publish in the Government
15
Gazette and in a newspaper circulating generally
in the area to which an ongoing protection
declaration relates--
(a) the ongoing protection declaration; or
(b) an amendment to the ongoing protection
20
declaration; or
(c) notice of the revocation of the ongoing
protection declaration.
(2) A declaration, amendment or revocation does not
take effect until the declaration, amendment or
25
notice of the revocation is published in the
Government Gazette.
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108. Offence to contravene ongoing protection
declaration
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if--
(a) the person engages in conduct that
contravenes an ongoing protection
5
declaration; and
(b) at the time of engaging in the conduct, the
person knew of the existence of the
declaration.
(2) A person who is guilty of an offence under sub-
10
section (1) is liable to a penalty not exceeding--
(a) in the case of a natural person, 1800 penalty
units;
(b) in the case of a body corporate,
10 000 penalty units.
15
(3) A person is guilty of an offence if--
(a) the person engages in conduct that
contravenes an ongoing protection
declaration; and
(b) at the time of engaging in the conduct, the
20
person was reckless as to the existence of the
declaration.
(4) A person who is guilty of an offence under sub-
section (3) is liable to a penalty not exceeding--
(a) in the case of a natural person, 1200 penalty
25
units;
(b) in the case of a body corporate, 6000 penalty
units.
(5) In this section, "engage in conduct" means--
(a) to do an act; or
30
(b) omit to do an act.
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(6) An offence under this section is an indictable
offence.
Note: The provisions of Division 12 of Part I of the Crimes
Act 1958 (which deal with attempts) apply to
5 indictable offences against this Act.
(7) A person who engages in conduct that contravenes
an ongoing protection declaration does not
commit an offence under this section if the
conduct in which the person engaged was
necessary because of an emergency.
10
Division 3--General
109. Declaration has effect
An interim protection declaration, or an ongoing
protection declaration, that relates to an
Aboriginal place or object has effect despite
15
anything to the contrary in any of the following--
(a) any other Act or law;
(b) an approved cultural heritage management
plan;
(c) a cultural heritage agreement;
20
(d) any other agreement.
110. Notices relating to declarations
(1) This section applies to an Aboriginal place that is
subject to an interim protection declaration or an
ongoing protection declaration.
25
(2) A relevant registered Aboriginal party may cause
notices to be placed on or near the Aboriginal
place which indicate that the place is subject to the
interim protection declaration or ongoing
protection declaration.
30
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(3) If there is no relevant registered Aboriginal party,
the Secretary may cause notices to be placed on or
near the Aboriginal place which indicate that the
place is subject to the interim protection
declaration or ongoing protection declaration.
5
(4) A relevant registered Aboriginal party or the
Secretary (as the case requires) may authorise any
person to enter the Aboriginal place for the
purpose of placing a notice under this section or
repairing, replacing or removing a notice placed
10
under this section.
(5) A person authorised under sub-section (4) may
enter the Aboriginal place for the purpose of
placing a notice under this section or repairing,
replacing or removing a notice placed under this
15
section.
(6) A person must not destroy, damage, remove or
interfere with a notice fixed under this section
without the authorisation of the relevant registered
Aboriginal party or the Secretary.
20
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
10 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate,
50 penalty units.
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Act No.
Part 8--Disputes Regarding Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
s. 111
PART 8--DISPUTES REGARDING ABORIGINAL
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Division 1--Disputes Regarding Cultural Heritage
Management Plans
Subdivision 1--Alternative Dispute Resolution
5
111. Meaning of "dispute"
In this Subdivision, "dispute" means a dispute
between 2 or more registered Aboriginal parties
arising in relation to the evaluation of a cultural
heritage management plan for which approval is
10
sought under section 62.
112. What alternative dispute resolution includes
(1) Alternative dispute resolution under this
Subdivision includes preliminary assistance in
dispute resolution, such as the giving of advice
15
designed to ensure that--
(a) the parties are fully aware of their rights and
obligations; and
(b) there is full and open communication
between the parties concerning the dispute.
20
(2) In this Subdivision--
(a) a reference to alternative dispute resolution
includes a reference to mediation; and
(b) a reference to a person conducting
alternative dispute resolution includes a
25
reference to a mediator conducting
mediation.
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113. Referral of disputes for alternative dispute
resolution
(1) A registered Aboriginal party or a sponsor of a
cultural heritage management plan (or both) may
refer a dispute to the Chairperson of the Council
5
for alternative dispute resolution.
(2) The Chairperson must (within 30 days after the
date on which a dispute is referred under sub-
section (1)) arrange for the dispute to be the
subject of--
10
(a) mediation by a mediator; or
(b) another appropriate form of alternative
dispute resolution by a suitably qualified
person.
(3) A mediation or other alternative dispute resolution
15
must take place within 30 days after the date on
which the dispute is referred under sub-
section (1).
114. Costs of alternative dispute resolution
(1) The costs of alternative dispute resolution under
20
this Subdivision are to be paid by the parties as
follows--
(a) in the proportions that the parties agree
among themselves; or
(b) if the parties cannot agree, in equal shares.
25
(2) In this section, "costs" of alternative dispute
resolution means the fees and expenses of the
person conducting the alternative dispute
resolution.
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115. Statements made during alternative dispute
resolution not admissible
A statement or admission made in the course of
alternative dispute resolution under this
Subdivision is not admissible in any legal
5
proceedings.
Subdivision 2--Dispute Resolution in VCAT
116. Sponsor may apply to VCAT
(1) The sponsor of a cultural heritage management
plan may apply to VCAT for review of a decision
10
of a registered Aboriginal party under section 63
to refuse to approve the plan--
(a) if each relevant registered Aboriginal party
has refused to approve the plan under
section 63; or
15
(b) if--
(i) a relevant registered Aboriginal party
has decided to refuse to approve the
plan under section 63; and
(ii) the dispute arising from that decision
20
has been referred to the Chairperson of
the Council for alternative dispute
resolution under Subdivision 1; and
(iii) the Chairperson has certified in writing
that alternative dispute resolution under
25
Subdivision 1 has failed, or is unlikely,
to resolve the dispute.
(2) The sponsor of a cultural heritage management
plan may apply to VCAT for review of a decision
of the Secretary under section 65 to refuse to
30
approve the plan.
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(3) An application for a review must be made within
28 days after the later of--
(a) the day on which the applicant is notified of
the decision;
(b) if, under the Victorian Civil and
5
Administrative Tribunal Act 1998, the
applicant requests a statement of reasons for
the decision, the day on which the statement
of reasons is given to the applicant or the
applicant is informed under section 46(5) of
10
that Act that a statement of reasons will not
be given.
117. Parties to proceeding
(1) The parties to a proceeding under section 116(1)
are the sponsor and any relevant registered
15
Aboriginal party.
(2) The parties to a proceeding under section 116(2)
are the sponsor and the Secretary.
118. Decision of VCAT
On an application under this Division, VCAT
20
may--
(a) approve the cultural heritage management
plan; or
(b) approve the cultural heritage management
plan with amendments; or
25
(c) refuse to approve the cultural heritage
management plan.
119. VCAT to consider certain matters
(1) Before reaching a decision on an application
under section 116(1), VCAT must consider any
30
matter that the registered Aboriginal party was
required to consider when making the decision in
respect of which the application was made.
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(2) Before reaching a decision on an application
under section 116(2), VCAT must consider any
matter that the Secretary was required to consider
when making the decision in respect of which the
application was made.
5
120. VCAT to be satisfied of certain matters
Before deciding to approve a cultural heritage
management plan under this Division, VCAT
must be satisfied that the plan makes sufficient
provision for the activity to which it relates to be
10
managed so as--
(a) to avoid harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage
in the area to which the plan applies; and
(b) to the extent that harm cannot be reasonably
avoided, to minimise harm to Aboriginal
15
cultural heritage.
Division 2--Disputes Regarding Cultural Heritage Permits
121. Applicant for cultural heritage permit may apply
to VCAT
(1) An applicant for a cultural heritage permit under
20
section 36(1)(c) may apply to VCAT for review of
a decision of the Secretary--
(a) to refuse to grant the cultural heritage permit;
or
(b) to impose a condition on the cultural heritage
25
permit.
(2) An application for a review must be made within
28 days after the later of--
(a) the day on which the decision is made;
(b) if, under the Victorian Civil and
30
Administrative Tribunal Act 1998, the
applicant requests a statement of reasons for
the decision, the day on which the statement
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of reasons is given to the applicant or the
applicant is informed under section 46(5) of
that Act that a statement of reasons will not
be given.
122. Parties to proceeding
5
The applicant, any relevant registered Aboriginal
party and the Secretary are parties to a proceeding
under this Division.
123. Decision of VCAT
On an application under this Division, VCAT may
10
make an order that--
(a) the cultural heritage permit must be granted;
or
(b) the cultural heritage permit must not be
granted; or
15
(c) the cultural heritage permit must or must not
include a specified condition.
124. VCAT to be satisfied of certain matters
(1) Before reaching a decision under this Division,
VCAT must consider--
20
(a) any matter that the Secretary was required to
consider when making the decision in
respect of which the application was made;
and
(b) any matter that a relevant registered
25
Aboriginal party properly considered when
deciding to object or not to object to the
grant of the permit or to require that a
condition be included in the permit.
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(2) Before deciding under this Division to grant, or to
impose a condition on, a cultural heritage permit,
VCAT must be satisfied that the activity in respect
of which the application for the permit was made
will be managed by the applicant so as to
5
minimise harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage.
(3) Despite section 41(1), VCAT may, subject to the
requirements of this section, impose any condition
on a cultural heritage permit that it considers to be
appropriate.
10
Division 3--Disputes Regarding Protection Declaration
Decisions
125. What is a protection declaration decision?
In this Division "protection declaration
decision" means--
15
(a) a decision under section 96 to make an
interim protection declaration; or
(b) a decision under section 98 to extend an
interim protection declaration; or
(c) a decision under section 99 to amend or
20
revoke an interim protection declaration; or
(d) a decision under section 103 to make an
ongoing protection declaration; or
(e) a decision under section 105 to amend or
revoke an ongoing protection declaration.
25
126. Review of protection declaration decisions
(1) A person affected, or likely to be affected, by a
protection declaration decision may apply to
VCAT for a review of the decision.
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(2) An application for a review must be made within
28 days after the later of--
(a) the day on which the decision is made;
(b) if, under the Victorian Civil and
Administrative Tribunal Act 1998, the
5
applicant requests a statement of reasons for
the decision, the day on which the statement
of reasons is given to the applicant or the
applicant is informed under section 46(5) of
that Act that a statement of reasons will not
10
be given.
127. Parties to proceeding
The applicant, the Minister and any relevant
registered Aboriginal party are parties to a
proceeding under this Division.
15
128. Decision of VCAT
On an application under this Division in relation
to a protection declaration decision, VCAT may--
(a) confirm the decision; or
(b) confirm the decision with amendments; or
20
(c) set aside the decision and substitute a new
decision.
129. VCAT to have regard to certain matters
In determining an application under this Division,
VCAT must have regard to--
25
(a) the importance of maintaining the
relationship between Aboriginal people and
the place or object to which the application
relates; and
(b) the respective interests of the parties to the
30
application.
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PART 9--ADMINISTRATION
Division 1--Aboriginal Heritage Council
130. Establishment of Council
(1) The Aboriginal Heritage Council is established.
(2) The Council--
5
(a) is a body corporate with perpetual
succession;
(b) has a common seal;
(c) may sue or be sued in its corporate name;
(d) may acquire, hold and dispose of real and
10
personal property;
(e) may do and suffer all acts and things that a
body corporate may by law do and suffer.
(3) The common seal of the Council must be kept as
directed by the Council.
15
(4) All courts must take judicial notice of the imprint
of the common seal on a document and, until the
contrary is proved, must presume that the
document was properly sealed.
131. Membership
20
(1) The Council consists of not more than
11 members appointed by the Minister.
(2) The Minister must appoint one of the members of
the Council as the first Chairperson of the
Council.
25
(3) Each member of the Council must be an
Aboriginal person who--
(a) has, and can demonstrate, traditional or
familial links to an area in Victoria; and
(b) is resident in Victoria; and
30
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(c) in the opinion of the Minister, has relevant
experience or knowledge of Aboriginal
cultural heritage in Victoria.
(4) A member of the Council holds office for the term
(not exceeding 3 years) specified in the instrument
5
of his or her appointment, and is eligible for
reappointment.
132. Functions of the Council
(1) The Council has the following functions--
(a) at the Minister's request or on its own
10
initiative, to advise the Minister in relation to
the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage
in Victoria, including advising the Minister
about--
(i) the cultural heritage significance of any
15
Aboriginal human remains or
Aboriginal place or object;
(ii) measures for the effective protection
and management of Aboriginal cultural
heritage in Victoria, including the
20
management of culturally sensitive
information relating to that heritage;
(iii) measures to promote the role of
Aboriginal people in the protection and
management of Aboriginal cultural
25
heritage and in the administration of
this Act;
(iv) the standards of knowledge, experience,
conduct and practice required of
persons engaged in research into
30
Aboriginal cultural heritage;
(v) the training and appointment of
inspectors under this Act;
(vi) any other matters referred to the
Council by the Minister;
35
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(b) at the Minister's request, to advise and make
recommendations to the Minister on the
exercise of his or her powers under this Act,
including advising the Minister about--
(i) the application of interim or ongoing
5
protection declarations;
(ii) a proposal by the Minister to require a
cultural heritage management plan to
be prepared;
(iii) whether a cultural heritage audit is
10
necessary;
(iv) whether the compulsory acquisition of
land is appropriate in any particular
case;
(v) any other matter relating to the exercise
15
of his or her powers under this Act that
the Minister requests the Council to
consider;
(c) to advise the Secretary--
(i) on measures to establish appropriate
20
standards and guidelines for the
payment to registered Aboriginal
parties of fees for doing anything
referred to in section 60;
(ii) at the Secretary's request, on the
25
exercise of his or her powers under this
Act in relation to cultural heritage
permits, cultural heritage management
plans and cultural heritage agreements.
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(2) The Council has the following additional
functions--
(a) to receive and determine applications for the
registration of Aboriginal parties under
Part 10;
5
(b) to consider for approval proposed cultural
heritage management plans for which the
Secretary is the sponsor, in the circumstances
set out in section 66;
(c) to develop measures to promote public
10
awareness and understanding of Aboriginal
cultural heritage in Victoria;
(d) to carry out any other functions conferred on
the Council under this Act.
(3) The Council has all the powers necessary to carry
15
out its functions under this Act.
133. Functions of the Chairperson
(1) The Chairperson of the Council has the following
functions--
(a) to arrange alternative dispute resolution
20
under section 113; and
(b) to carry out any other functions conferred on
the Chairperson under this Act.
(2) The Chairperson has all the powers necessary to
carry out his or her functions under this Act.
25
134. Payment of members
A member of the Council is entitled to be paid the
fees and travelling and other allowances fixed
from time to time by the Minister in respect of
that member.
30
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135. Resignation and removal
(1) A member of the Council may resign from the
office of member by writing signed by the
member and delivered to the Minister.
(2) The Minister may remove a member of the
5
Council from office if--
(a) in the opinion of the Minister, the member--
(i) becomes incapable of performing his or
her functions and duties as a member;
or
10
(ii) is negligent in performing his or her
functions and duties as a member; or
(iii) engages in improper conduct; or
(b) the member fails to attend 3 consecutive
meetings of the Council without the approval
15
of the Chairperson of the Council.
(3) The office of a member of the Council also
becomes vacant if the member--
(a) becomes an insolvent under administration;
or
20
(b) is convicted in Victoria of an indictable
offence or elsewhere of an offence that, if
committed in Victoria, would be an
indictable offence.
136. Acting members
25
(1) If a member of the Council is unable to perform
the functions or duties of his or her office, the
Minister may appoint a person to act in the place
of the member during that period of inability.
(2) An acting appointment is to be for any term
30
(not exceeding the term of appointment of the
member for whom he or she is acting) and on any
conditions determined by the Minister.
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(3) The Minister may at any time terminate an acting
appointment.
(4) An acting member of the Council has all the
functions of the member for whom he or she is
acting.
5
(5) An acting member of the Council is entitled to
receive any remuneration or travelling or other
allowances fixed from time to time by the
Minister in respect of that acting member.
137. Co-opted members
10
(1) Subject to the approval of the Minister, the
Council may co-opt additional members.
(2) A co-opted member does not have any voting
rights at a meeting of the Council.
(3) A co-opted member does not form part of the
15
quorum for a meeting of the Council.
138. Election of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson
(1) The first Chairperson of the Council holds office
until the election of a Chairperson under this
section.
20
(2) At the first meeting of the Council, the members
of the Council must elect a Chairperson and a
Deputy Chairperson from among its membership.
(3) The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson--
(a) hold office for one year; and
25
(b) are each eligible for re-election for a further
term of one year.
(4) Each subsequent Chairperson and Deputy
Chairperson must be elected by the members of
the Council from among its membership.
30
(5) A quorum for a meeting to elect the Chairperson
or Deputy Chairperson is at least two-thirds of the
members of the Council.
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(6) An election under this section is determined by a
majority of votes of the members of the Council at
the meeting.
139. Procedure of the Council
(1) Except as provided in sections 138 and 157, a
5
quorum of the Council is a majority of the
members for the time being of the Council.
(2) The Chairperson, or in his or her absence, the
Deputy Chairperson, or in the absence of both of
them, a member of the Council elected by the
10
members present, must preside at a meeting of the
Council.
(3) A question arising at a meeting of the Council is
to be determined by a majority of votes and the
person presiding at the meeting has a deliberative
15
vote, and in the case of an equality of votes, a
second or casting vote.
(4) The Council must meet--
(a) at least once every 2 months; or
(b) more frequently as directed in writing by the
20
Minister.
(5) Subject to this Act, the Council may regulate its
own procedure.
140. Effect of a vacancy or defect
An act or decision of the Council is not invalid
25
only because of--
(a) a vacancy, including an initial vacancy, in its
membership; or
(b) a defect or irregularity in the appointment of
any of its members.
30
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141. Immunity from liability
(1) A member of the Council is not liable for anything
done or omitted to be done in good faith--
(a) in carrying out a function or power under
this Act or the regulations; or
5
(b) in the reasonable belief that the act or
omission was in the carrying out of a
function or power under this Act or the
regulations.
(2) Any liability resulting from an act or omission
10
that would, but for sub-section (1) attach to a
member of the Council attaches instead to the
Council.
142. Conflict of interest
(1) If a member of the Council has a pecuniary or
15
personal interest in the subject-matter of a
decision that is to be made by the Council, the
member must--
(a) declare his or her interest (including the
nature of the interest) to the Council; and
20
(b) take no further part in the making of the
decision by the Council.
(2) Without limiting sub-section (1), a member of the
Council has a personal interest in a decision that is
to be made by the Council if the decision
25
affects--
(a) a registered Aboriginal party of which the
member of the Council is a member; or
(b) a body that is an applicant for registration
under Part 10 of which the member of the
30
Council is a member; or
(c) a member of the family of the member of the
Council.
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Division 2--The Secretary
143. Functions of the Secretary
(1) The Secretary has the following functions under
this Act--
(a) to take whatever measures are reasonably
5
practicable for the protection of Aboriginal
cultural heritage;
(b) to establish and maintain the Victorian
Aboriginal Heritage Register;
(c) to grant cultural heritage permits;
10
(d) to approve cultural heritage management
plans in the circumstances set out in
section 65;
(e) to develop, revise and distribute guidelines,
forms and other material relating to the
15
protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage and
the administration of this Act;
(f) to publish, on advice from the Council,
appropriate standards and guidelines for the
payment of fees to registered Aboriginal
20
parties for doing anything referred to in
section 60;
(g) to publish standards for the investigation and
documentation of Aboriginal cultural
heritage in Victoria;
25
(h) to manage the enforcement of this Act;
(i) to collect and maintain records relating to the
use by inspectors of their powers under this
Act;
(j) to facilitate research into the Aboriginal
30
cultural heritage of Victoria;
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(k) to promote public awareness and
understanding of Aboriginal cultural heritage
in Victoria;
(l) to maintain a map of Victoria which shows
each area in respect of which an Aboriginal
5
party is registered under Part 10, and to make
the map freely available for inspection by the
public;
(m) to maintain a list of all Aboriginal parties
registered under Part 10 that includes contact
10
details for the parties, and to make the list
freely available for inspection by the public;
(n) to carry out any other function conferred on
the Secretary by or under this Act.
(2) The Secretary has all powers necessary to carry
15
out his or her functions under this Act.
Division 3--Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register
144. Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register
(1) The Secretary must establish and maintain a
register to be called the Victorian Aboriginal
20
Heritage Register.
(2) The Secretary may amend or revoke an entry in
the Register if the Secretary considers it necessary
in order to maintain the accuracy of the
information contained in the entry.
25
145. What is in the Register?
(1) The Secretary must record details of the following
in the Register--
(a) all known Aboriginal places in Victoria;
(b) all known private collections of Aboriginal
30
objects in Victoria;
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(c) all Aboriginal human remains reported to the
Secretary under this Act or delivered to the
Secretary or known to be in the possession or
under the control of any person;
(d) the name, area and contact details of each
5
registered Aboriginal party;
(e) all cultural heritage permits, approved
cultural heritage management plans and
cultural heritage agreements;
(f) all stop orders, interim protection
10
declarations and ongoing protection
declarations issued or made under this Act.
(2) The Secretary may record in the Register any
other information regarding Aboriginal cultural
heritage that the Secretary considers necessary in
15
order to protect or manage Aboriginal cultural
heritage.
146. Who may access the Register?
(1) The Secretary must allow any of the following
persons or bodies to have access to the Register
20
but only for the purpose set out for that person or
body--
(a) a registered Aboriginal party or a person
authorised in writing by a registered
Aboriginal party--for the purpose of
25
obtaining information relating to the area or
areas in respect of which the registered
Aboriginal party is registered;
(b) a member of the Council or a public sector
employee (within the meaning of the Public
30
Administration Act 2004) whose duties
involve the administration of this Act--for
the purpose of managing Aboriginal cultural
heritage in Victoria or maintaining and
updating the Register;
35
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(c) a person engaged as a cultural heritage
advisor for a cultural heritage management
plan or a cultural heritage audit--for the
purpose of conducting research related to the
cultural heritage management plan or the
5
cultural heritage audit;
(d) a land owner--for the purpose of obtaining
information on any Aboriginal cultural
heritage that may relate to the owner's land;
(e) a person who, or a body that, has the control
10
and management of Crown land--for the
purpose of obtaining information to assist or
enable the person or body to carry out
functions or duties associated with the
control and management of the land;
15
(f) a person appointed or employed under
Division 3 of Part 4 of the Local
Government Act 1989--for the purpose of
carrying out functions or duties associated
with the person's employment;
20
(g) a cultural heritage advisor appointed by a
proposed developer, purchaser or user of
land or by a person specified under
paragraph (d), (e) or (f) in relation to land--
for the purpose of obtaining information on
25
any Aboriginal cultural heritage that may
relate to the land.
(2) The Secretary must not allow any other person to
have access to the Register except--
(a) if there is a registered Aboriginal party for
30
the area relating to the request, with the
written approval of each registered
Aboriginal party for that area; or
(b) if there is no registered Aboriginal party for
the area relating to the request, with the
35
written approval of the Council.
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147. Secretary may provide advice to persons or bodies
seeking access to Register
(1) The Secretary may provide advice to any person
as to whether a record exists on the Register in
relation to a nominated area of land.
5
(2) An application to the Secretary for advice under
sub-section (1) must be accompanied by the
prescribed fee (if any).
(3) Subject to sub-section (4), the advice under sub-
section (1) must include sufficient detail to
10
identify the nature of the record.
(4) In providing advice under sub-section (1), the
Secretary must not provide any information if
providing the information would be likely to
endanger Aboriginal cultural heritage.
15
__________________
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s. 148
PART 10--REGISTERED ABORIGINAL PARTIES
Division 1--Functions of Registered Aboriginal Parties
148. Functions of a registered Aboriginal party
A registered Aboriginal party has the following
functions--
5
(a) to act as a primary source of advice and
knowledge for the Minister, Secretary and
Council on matters relating to Aboriginal
places located in or Aboriginal objects
originating from the area for which the party
10
is registered;
(b) to advise the Minister regarding, and to
negotiate, the repatriation of Aboriginal
cultural heritage that relates to the area for
which the party is registered;
15
(c) to consider and advise on applications for
cultural heritage permits;
(d) to evaluate and approve or refuse to approve
cultural heritage management plans that
relate to the area for which the party is
20
registered;
(e) to enter into cultural heritage agreements;
(f) to apply for interim and ongoing protection
declarations;
(g) to carry out any other functions conferred on
25
registered Aboriginal parties by or under this
Act.
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149. Registered Aboriginal party must act in good faith
A registered Aboriginal party must act in good
faith in the discharge of its functions and in the
exercise of its powers under this Act.
Division 2--Application and Registration
5
150. Application for registration
(1) An application for registration as a registered
Aboriginal party must be made to the Council in
the approved form and include the following--
(a) the party's name, address and other contact
10
details;
(b) a description of the area in respect of which
the application is made, including details, in
the form of a map or a written description, of
the boundaries of that area;
15
(c) a statement from the applicant outlining the
nature of--
(i) the relationship or links of the applicant
to the area for which the application is
made; or
20
(ii) the applicant's historical or
contemporary interest in Aboriginal
cultural heritage relating to the area and
expertise in managing and protecting
Aboriginal cultural heritage in that area.
25
(2) An applicant for registration as a registered
Aboriginal party must be a body corporate.
151. Determination of application for registration
(1) The Council must determine an application for
registration as a registered Aboriginal party within
30
120 days after receiving the application.
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(2) If an applicant for registration is a registered
native title holder for an area in respect of which a
determination that native title exists has been
made--
(a) the Council must register the applicant as the
5
registered Aboriginal party for that area; and
(b) no other applicant can be registered in
respect of that area.
(3) Subject to sub-section (2), in determining an
application, the Council must take the following
10
into account--
(a) whether the applicant is a native title party
for the area to which the application relates;
(b) the terms of any native title agreement that
the parties to that agreement agree to make
15
available to the Council;
(c) whether the applicant is a body representing
Aboriginal people with traditional or familial
links to the area to which the application
relates;
20
(d) whether the applicant is a body representing
Aboriginal people that has--
(i) a historical or contemporary interest in
the Aboriginal cultural heritage relating
to the area to which the application
25
relates; and
(ii) demonstrated expertise in managing
and protecting Aboriginal cultural
heritage in that area;
(e) the existence of any grant of land in fee
30
simple made by the State or the
Commonwealth to an Aboriginal body under
a specific power in a State or
Commonwealth Act.
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(f) whether the applicant has entered into an
agreement with the State in relation to land
and natural resource management in the area
to which the application relates;
(g) any other matter that the Council considers
5
to be relevant.
(4) In determining an application, the Council must
be satisfied that the applicant is a body corporate.
(5) In determining an application, the Council may--
(a) request further information from the
10
applicant; and
(b) obtain assistance from any person that the
Council considers has relevant knowledge or
expertise.
(6) The Council may ask the Secretary to assist the
15
applicant to produce a map of the boundaries of
the area to which the application relates.
152. Effect of determination
(1) If the Council determines that a body is to be the
registered Aboriginal party for an area, the
20
determination comes into effect on the day it is
made.
(2) The determination must specify the area for which
the body is to be the registered Aboriginal party,
which, subject to section 151(2), may be all or
25
part of the area to which the application relates.
153. Parties for area
(1) Subject to section 151(2), more than one body
may be a registered Aboriginal party for a
particular area if the Council is satisfied that
30
having more than one registered Aboriginal party
for the area--
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(a) will not unduly hinder the ability of any of
the registered Aboriginal parties for the area
to exercise their powers and carry out their
functions under this Act; and
(b) will not otherwise hinder the effective
5
operation of this Act.
(2) If there is more than one registered Aboriginal
party for an area then each of those registered
Aboriginal parties has the same powers and
functions in relation to that area.
10
154. Notice of determination
(1) The Council must give written notice to the
applicant and the Secretary of the Council's
determination that a body is to be a registered
Aboriginal party as soon as practicable after the
15
determination is made.
(2) A notice under sub-section (1) must specify the
area in respect of which body is the registered
Aboriginal party and the date of the
determination.
20
(3) The Secretary must cause the name and contact
details of each registered Aboriginal party and a
description of the area for which it is a registered
Aboriginal party to be placed on the Register.
155. Variation of registration
25
(1) The Council may vary the registration of a
registered Aboriginal party with the consent of
that party and, if there are other registered
Aboriginal parties for that area, with the consent
of each of those parties.
30
(2) A variation under this section may include a
variation to the boundaries of the area for which
the registered Aboriginal party is registered.
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(3) The Council must give written notice to the
registered Aboriginal party and the Secretary of a
variation under this section as soon as practicable
after the variation is made.
(4) The Secretary must make any necessary
5
amendments to the Register.
156. Suspension and revocation of registration
(1) Subject to section 157, the Council may suspend
or revoke the registration of a registered
Aboriginal party if the Council believes on
10
reasonable grounds that the party has failed to act
in good faith--
(a) in relation to the consideration of or advice
given on applications for cultural heritage
permits; or
15
(b) in relation to the evaluation of a cultural
heritage management plan; or
(c) in relation to the entering into or
performance of a cultural heritage
agreement; or
20
(d) in the discharge of any of its functions or the
exercise of any of its powers under this Act.
(2) The registration of a registered Aboriginal party is
revoked if--
(a) the party ceases to be a body corporate; or
25
(b) the party is placed under administration or
goes into liquidation.
(3) The registration of a registered Aboriginal party in
respect of an area or part of an area is revoked
if--
30
(a) a registered native title holder is
subsequently registered as a registered
Aboriginal party for the area or that part of
the area; and
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(b) a determination has been made that native
title exists in the area or that part of the area
(as the case requires).
(4) The Council must suspend or revoke the
registration of a registered Aboriginal party at the
5
request of the party.
(5) The Council must give written notice to the
Secretary of a revocation under this section and
the Secretary must make any necessary
amendments to the Register.
10
157. Procedure for suspension or revocation of
registration
(1) If the Council proposes to suspend or revoke the
registration of a registered Aboriginal party under
section 156(1), the Council must give the
15
registered Aboriginal party--
(a) at least 28 days' notice of the proposal; and
(b) an opportunity to make oral and written
submissions to the Council on the proposal.
(2) A notice under sub-section (1) must--
20
(a) be in writing; and
(b) advise the registered Aboriginal party--
(i) of the proposal to suspend or revoke the
registration of the registered Aboriginal
party; and
25
(ii) that it may make oral and written
submissions to the Council on the
proposal at a specified time and place.
(3) A determination of the Council under
section 156(1) to suspend or revoke the
30
registration of a registered Aboriginal party is not
valid unless--
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(a) at least two-thirds of the members for the
time being of the Council are present at the
meeting at which the decision is made; and
(b) the relevant motion is passed by a simple
majority of those members.
5
158. Review of decisions of the Council
(1) An Aboriginal party may apply to VCAT for
review of a determination of the Council under
section 156(1) to suspend or revoke the
registration of the party.
10
(2) An application for a review must be made within
28 days after the later of--
(a) the day on which the decision is made;
(b) if, under the Victorian Civil and
Administrative Tribunal Act 1998, the
15
applicant requests a statement of reasons for
the decision, the day on which the statement
of reasons is given to the applicant or the
applicant is informed under section 46(5) of
that Act that a statement of reasons will not
20
be given.
__________________
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PART 11--ENFORCEMENT
Division 1--Inspectors
159. Functions of inspectors
The functions of an inspector under this Act
include--
5
(a) monitoring compliance with this Act;
(b) investigating suspected offences against this
Act;
(c) directing the conduct of cultural heritage
audits under Part 6;
10
(d) issuing and delivering stop orders under
Part 6;
(e) when required by the Secretary, reporting to
the Secretary on the carrying out by the
inspector of his or her functions under this
15
Act.
160. Appointment of inspectors
(1) The Minister, after consulting with the Council,
may, by writing, appoint any of the following as
an inspector for a period of up to 5 years--
20
(a) an employee under Part 3 of the Public
Administration Act 2004;
(b) a person who is appointed as an inspector,
enforcement officer or authorised officer by
or under any other Act.
25
(2) The Minister must be satisfied that a person
appointed as an inspector--
(a) has an appropriate level of knowledge and
experience in the identification and
protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage;
30
and
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(b) has completed, to the satisfaction of the
Minister, a course of training specified by
the Minister; and
(c) is capable of carrying out the duties of an
inspector under this Act.
5
161. Re-appointment of inspectors
The Minister, after consulting with the Council,
may re-appoint a person as an inspector if--
(a) the person still satisfies the criteria referred
to in section 160; and
10
(b) the person seeking re-appointment has
completed, to the satisfaction of the Minister,
a course of training specified by the
Minister.
162. Suspension and revocation of appointment
15
(1) The Minister, after consulting with the Council,
may, in writing, suspend for a specified period or
revoke the appointment of an inspector under this
Act.
(2) An inspector is deemed not to be an inspector
20
under this Act during a period of suspension.
163. Cessation of appointment
The appointment of an inspector under this Act
ceases immediately if--
(a) the inspector ceases to be an employee under
25
Part 3 of the Public Administration
Act 2004; or
(b) if the inspector was appointed under
section 160(1)(b), the inspector ceases to be
appointed as an inspector, enforcement
30
officer or authorised officer by or under any
other Act; or
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(c) the Minister revokes the appointment under
section 162; or
(d) the person resigns his or her appointment.
164. Identity cards
(1) The Secretary must issue an identity card to each
5
inspector.
(2) An identity card issued under sub-section (1)
must--
(a) be in the approved form; and
(b) contain a recent photograph of the person to
10
whom it is issued.
(3) A person must immediately return his or her
identity card to the Secretary if--
(a) the person ceases to be an inspector; or
(b) the appointment of the person as an inspector
15
is suspended.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
165. Inspector to produce identity card
An inspector must produce his or her identity card
for inspection--
20
(a) before exercising any of his or her powers
under this Act, except a requirement made
by post; and
(b) at any time during the exercise of a power
under this Act, if asked to do so.
25
Division 2--Powers of Inspectors
166. General power to enter land or premises
(1) Subject to this section, an inspector may enter any
land or premises during normal business hours for
the purposes of carrying out the inspector's
30
functions under this Act.
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(2) An inspector must not enter any land or premises
under this section--
(a) without the consent of the occupier of the
land or premises; and
(b) unless the occupier--
5
(i) is present; or
(ii) has consented in writing to the
inspector entering the land or premises
without the occupier being present.
167. Obtaining the consent of the occupier
10
(1) For the purposes of obtaining the consent of an
occupier of land or premises under section 166 an
inspector may, without the occupier's consent--
(a) enter the land or premises to an extent that is
reasonable in order to contact the occupier;
15
or
(b) enter a part of the land or premises that the
inspector reasonably considers members of
the public would ordinarily be allowed to
enter when they wish to contact the occupier.
20
(2) When seeking to obtain the consent of an occupier
of land or premises under section 166, an
inspector must inform the occupier--
(a) of the purpose of the entry; and
(b) if the inspector intends to search the land or
25
premises, the purpose of the search; and
(c) that the occupier may refuse to give consent
to the entry and search or to the seizure of
any thing found during the search; and
(d) that the occupier may refuse to consent to the
30
taking of any copy of or extract from a
document found on the premises during the
search; and
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(e) that any thing seized or taken during the
search with the consent of the occupier may
be used in evidence in proceedings.
(3) If an occupier consents to an entry and search, the
inspector who requested consent must, before
5
entering the land or premises, ask the occupier to
sign an acknowledgment stating--
(a) that the occupier has been informed of the
purpose of the search and that any thing
seized or taken in the search with the consent
10
of the occupier may be used in evidence in
proceedings; and
(b) that the occupier has been informed that he
or she may refuse to give consent to the entry
and search or to the seizure of any thing or to
15
the taking of any copy of or extract from a
document; and
(c) that the occupier has consented to such an
entry and search; and
(d) the date and time that the occupier
20
consented.
(4) If an occupier consents to the seizure or taking of
any thing during a search under this section, the
inspector must before seizing or taking the thing
ask the occupier to sign an acknowledgment
25
stating--
(a) that the occupier has consented to the seizure
or taking of the thing; and
(b) the date and time that the occupier
consented.
30
(5) An occupier who signs an acknowledgment must
be given a copy of the signed acknowledgment
before the inspector leaves the land or premises.
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(6) If, in any proceeding, an acknowledgment is not
produced to the court or a tribunal, it must be
presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the
occupier did not consent to the entry and search or
to the seizure or the taking of the thing.
5
168. Power to enter land or premises open to public
An inspector may enter and inspect any part of
land or premises which, at the time of the entry
and inspection, are open to the public.
169. Power to enter land or premises for audit
10
An inspector may, during normal business hours,
enter any land or premises (other than a private
residence) after giving at least 2 days' written
notice to the occupier of the land or premises for
the purpose of--
15
(a) directing a cultural heritage audit; or
(b) complying with a recommendation of a
cultural heritage audit.
170. Search powers upon entry
(1) This section sets out the search powers of an
20
inspector who enters land or premises under
section 166 or 168.
(2) The inspector may do any of the following for the
purpose of ensuring compliance with this Act--
(a) search any part of the land or premises;
25
(b) inspect, measure, test, photograph or film
any part of the land or premises or anything
present at, in or on the land or premises;
(c) take an extract from, or make a copy of, a
document held on the land or at the
30
premises;
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(d) bring onto the land or premises any person
whose assistance the inspector reasonably
requires to exercise a power or perform a
function or duty under this Act;
(e) bring onto the land or premises any
5
equipment or materials that the inspector
reasonably requires to exercise a power or
perform a function or duty under this Act.
171. Seizure powers on entry without search warrant
If an inspector enters land or premises under
10
section 166 or 168, the inspector may, with the
consent of the occupier of the premises, seize any
thing that he or she reasonably believes is
evidence of the commission of an offence against
this Act.
15
172. Seizure power without consent
Despite anything to the contrary in this Part, if an
inspector enters land or premises in accordance
with section 166, 168 or 169 the inspector may
without the consent of the occupier--
20
(a) seize an Aboriginal object if the inspector
reasonably believes that the object--
(i) is being offered for sale, or has been
sold, in contravention of section 34; or
(ii) is being removed from Victoria, or is at
25
immediate risk of being removed from
Victoria, in contravention of section 34;
and
(b) seize Aboriginal human remains if the
inspector reasonably believes that the
30
remains are being held in contravention of
section 19.
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173. Search warrants
(1) An inspector may apply to a magistrate for the
issue of a search warrant under this section in
relation to a particular place.
(2) If the magistrate is satisfied that there are
5
reasonable grounds for believing that an offence
against this Act has occurred, or is likely to occur,
the magistrate may issue a search warrant
authorising the inspector and any member of the
police force and other assistants the inspector
10
considers necessary--
(a) to enter the place named or described in the
warrant; and
(b) to search for and seize a thing or things
named or described in the warrant.
15
(3) In addition to a thing named or described in the
warrant under sub-section (2)(b), the inspector
executing the warrant may seize any other thing,
including an Aboriginal object, present at the
place if the inspector reasonably believes--
20
(a) that the thing will afford evidence of the
commission of an offence against this Act;
and
(b) that it is necessary to seize the thing to
prevent its concealment, loss or destruction.
25
(4) In addition to any other requirement, a search
warrant issued under this section must state--
(a) the offence suspected; and
(b) the place to be searched; and
(c) a description of the thing for which the
30
search is to be made; and
(d) any conditions to which the warrant is
subject; and
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(e) whether entry is authorised to be made at any
time or during stated hours; and
(f) a day, not later than 7 days after the issue of
the warrant, on which the warrant ceases to
have effect.
5
(5) A search warrant must be issued in accordance
with the Magistrates' Court Act 1989 and must
be in the form set out in the regulations under that
Act.
(6) Subject to any provision to the contrary in this
10
Act, the rules to be observed with respect to
search warrants mentioned in the Magistrates'
Court Act 1989 extend and apply to warrants
under this section.
(7) In this section, "place" includes land, premises
15
and a vehicle.
174. Announcement before entry
(1) Before executing a search warrant, the inspector
named in the warrant must--
(a) announce that he or she is authorised by the
20
warrant to enter the place; and
(b) give any person at the place an opportunity
to allow entry to the place.
(2) The inspector need not comply with sub-
section (1) if he or she believes on reasonable
25
grounds that immediate entry to the place is
required to ensure--
(a) the safety of any person; or
(b) that the effective execution of the search
warrant is not frustrated.
30
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175. Copy of search warrant to be given to occupier
If the occupier or another person who apparently
represents the occupier is present at the place
when a search warrant is being executed, the
inspector must--
5
(a) identify himself or herself to that person by
producing his or her identity card for
inspection by that person; and
(b) give to that person a copy of the execution
copy of the search warrant.
10
176. Receipt for seized things
(1) If an inspector seizes a thing under this Act, he or
she must, as soon as practicable, post to the person
apparently in the possession or custody of the
thing a receipt for the thing seized that--
15
(a) identifies the thing; and
(b) states the name of the inspector and the
reason why the thing is being seized.
(2) If an inspector is unable to discover the identity of
the owner or custodian of any thing seized under
20
this Act, the inspector must post the receipt to the
owner of the place, land or premises from which
the thing was seized.
177. Security of seized things
(1) If an inspector seizes a thing under this Act, he or
25
she must take reasonable steps to ensure that the
thing is kept in a secure manner.
(2) A person must not tamper or interfere with any
thing seized under this Act without the approval
of an inspector.
30
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
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178. Seizure of Aboriginal human remains or object
(1) This section applies if--
(a) an inspector seizes human remains or an
object under this Act; and
(b) the inspector believes that the human
5
remains are Aboriginal human remains or
that the object is an Aboriginal object.
(2) The inspector must ensure that, within 7 days after
the seizure of the human remains or object, the
human remains or object are transferred into the
10
custody of the Secretary.
(3) If the human remains transferred to the Secretary
under this section are Aboriginal human remains,
the Secretary must deal with the human remains in
accordance with Part 2.
15
(4) If human remains or an object transferred to the
Secretary under this section are not Aboriginal
human remains or an Aboriginal object, the
Secretary must ensure that the human remains or
the object are returned to the person from whom
20
they were seized as soon as practicable.
179. Return of seized things
Subject to section 178, if an inspector seizes a
thing under this Act, the inspector must take
reasonable steps to return the thing to the person
25
from whom it was seized within 4 months after
the date of seizure (the "retention period")
unless proceedings have commenced within the
retention period and those proceedings (including
any appeal) have not been completed.
30
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180. Inspector may require giving of name and address
(1) This section applies if an inspector reasonably
suspects that a person has committed, or is
committing, an offence against this Act.
(2) If the person is a natural person, the inspector may
5
require the person to give to the inspector the
person's full name and the address of the person's
usual place of residence.
(3) If the person is a body corporate, the inspector
may require the person to give to the inspector the
10
name under which the person carries on business
and the address of the person's usual place of
business.
(4) When requiring a person to give the information
referred to in sub-sections (2) and (3), the
15
inspector must--
(a) inform the person of the grounds for the
inspector's suspicion in sufficient detail to
allow the person to understand the nature of
the offence or suspected offence; and
20
(b) warn the person that it is an offence to refuse
or fail to comply with the requirement
without a reasonable excuse.
(5) A person must not refuse or fail, without
reasonable excuse, to comply with a requirement
25
made under sub-section (2) or (3).
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
10 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate,
50 penalty units.
30
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181. Inspector may require information
(1) An inspector who enters land or premises under
this Division may--
(a) require any person present on the land or
premises to give the inspector any assistance
5
that the inspector reasonably requires to
exercise a power or perform a function or
duty under this Act; and
(b) require any person present on the land or
premises to give the inspector any
10
information and produce any document that
the inspector reasonably requires to ascertain
whether this Act is being complied with.
(2) A person must not, without reasonable excuse,
refuse or fail to comply with a requirement of an
15
inspector under sub-section (1).
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
10 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate,
50 penalty units.
20
(3) It is a reasonable excuse for a person to refuse or
fail to give information or produce a document or
do any other thing that the person is required to do
under this section if the giving of the information
or document or the doing of the thing would tend
25
to incriminate the person.
(4) At the time of requiring a person to do something
under sub-section (1), an inspector must advise
the person that--
(a) unless the person has a reasonable excuse, it
30
is an offence for the person to refuse or fail
to comply with the requirement; and
(b) it is a reasonable excuse for the person to
refuse or fail to give information or produce
any document or do any other thing that the
35
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person is required to do under this section if
the giving of the information or document or
the doing of the thing would tend to
incriminate the person.
182. Inspector may take affidavits
5
An inspector is authorised to take affidavits for
any purpose relating or incidental to the
performance of his or her functions or exercise of
his or her powers under this Act.
183. Person must not give false information etc.
10
A person must not, in response to a request under
this Division--
(a) give information that the person knows to be
false or misleading in a material detail; or
(b) produce a document that the person knows to
15
be false or misleading in a material detail
without indicating the respect in which it is
false or misleading and, if practicable,
providing correct information.
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
20
60 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate,
300 penalty units.
Division 3--General
184. Report to be given about entry
25
(1) An inspector who enters a place under Division 2
in the absence of the occupier must give a report
concerning the entry when, or as soon as
practicable after, the inspector leaves the place to
the occupier or apparent occupier for the time
30
being of the place.
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(2) The report must be in writing and include--
(a) the time of the entry and departure; and
(b) the purpose of the entry; and
(c) a description of things done while at the
place, including whether the inspector took
5
photographs, or made sketches, of anything
at the place; and
(d) a summary of the inspector's observations
while at the place; and
(e) the procedure for contacting the inspector for
10
further details of the entry.
(3) In this section, "place" includes land, premises
and a vehicle.
185. Person must not impersonate, obstruct or hinder
inspector
15
(1) A person must not knowingly impersonate an
inspector acting in his or her official capacity.
Penalty: 60 penalty units, or 6 months
imprisonment, or both.
(2) A person must not, without reasonable excuse,
20
obstruct or hinder an inspector while the inspector
is exercising a power or carrying out a duty or
function under this Act in accordance with this
Act.
Penalty: 120 penalty units, or 12 months
25
imprisonment, or both.
(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence
under sub-section (2) if the inspector failed to
inform the person of the existence of the offence
before the inspector attempted to exercise the
30
power or carry out the duty or function.
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186. Who may prosecute?
(1) Subject to sub-section (2), proceedings for an
offence against this Act may only be taken by the
Secretary or a member of the police force.
(2) Proceedings for an indictable offence against this
5
Act must not be commenced without the written
consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
187. Evidence
(1) In proceedings for an offence against this Act
involving the contravention of a stop order, an
10
interim protection declaration or an ongoing
protection declaration, the stop order, interim
protection declaration or ongoing protection
declaration is evidence that the place or object in
respect of which it was issued or made is an
15
Aboriginal place or object.
(2) In any proceedings for an offence against this
Act--
(a) a certificate signed by the Minister to the
effect that a person named in the certificate
20
is an inspector is evidence of that fact;
(b) a certificate signed by the Minister
administering the Conservation, Forests
and Lands Act 1987 to the effect that land
identified in the certificate is Crown land is
25
evidence of that fact;
(c) a certificate signed by the Secretary to the
effect that a cultural heritage permit has not
been issued in respect of particular
Aboriginal cultural heritage is evidence of
30
that fact;
(d) a certificate signed by the Secretary to the
effect that an entry in respect of particular
Aboriginal cultural heritage has been made
in the Register is evidence of that fact;
35
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Part 11--Enforcement
s. 187
(e) a certificate signed by the Chief Executive
Officer of the Museums Board to the effect
that an object referred to in the certificate is
an Aboriginal object is evidence of that fact.
__________________
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Part 12--General
s. 188
PART 12--GENERAL
188. Delegation
(1) The Minister may, in writing, delegate any of his
or her powers, functions or duties under this Act,
other than this power of delegation--
5
(a) to the Secretary; or
(b) to a person employed in the Department.
(2) The Secretary may, in writing, delegate any of his
or her powers, functions or duties under this Act,
other than this power of delegation, to a person
10
employed in the Department.
189. Cultural heritage advisor
(1) A person may only be engaged as a cultural
heritage advisor under this Act if the person--
(a) is appropriately qualified in a discipline
15
directly relevant to the management of
Aboriginal cultural heritage, such as
anthropology, archaeology or history; or
(b) has extensive experience or knowledge in
relation to the management of Aboriginal
20
cultural heritage.
(2) The Minister may make guidelines specifying
appropriate qualifications for the purposes of this
section.
(3) The Minister must consult with the Council before
25
making any guidelines under this section.
(4) The guidelines must be published in the
Government Gazette.
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s. 190
190. Approval of forms
(1) The Secretary may approve forms for use under
this Act.
(2) The Secretary must cause all approved forms to be
published on the Internet site for the Department.
5
191. Tax and rate remissions
(1) This section applies if the Minister believes on
reasonable grounds that the conditions of--
(a) a cultural heritage agreement to which the
State is a party; or
10
(b) an ongoing protection declaration--
so restrict the purposes for which a person may
use land that compliance with the agreement or
declaration is not economically feasible.
(2) The Minister may make either or both of the
15
following orders--
(a) an order remitting the whole or any part of
the land tax payable by the owner of the land
under the Land Tax Act 1958;
(b) an order remitting the whole or any part of
20
any rates payable in respect of the land.
(3) The Minister cannot make an order under sub-
section (2)(a) unless the Treasurer agrees to the
order being made.
(4) Before making an order under sub-section (2)(b),
25
the Minister must consult with the relevant rating
authority.
(5) The Minister cannot make an order under sub-
section (2)(b) unless one of the following agrees
to the order being made--
30
(a) the rating authority; or
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Part 12--General
s. 192
(b) the Minister administering the legislation
under which the rating authority is
constituted.
192. Report on operation of Act
(1) The Secretary must include in the annual report of
5
the Department prepared under the Financial
Management Act 1994 a report on the operation
of this Act.
(2) The report must include--
(a) information on the exercise and performance
10
by inspectors of their powers, functions and
duties under this Act;
(b) non-identifying information on any
complaints received in relation to inspectors
and the action taken to address those
15
complaints.
193. Review of operation of Act
Before the fifth anniversary of the commencement
of this section, the Minister must conduct a review
of the operation of this Act to determine its
20
efficacy and efficiency.
194. Regulations
(1) The Governor in Council may make regulations
for or with respect to--
(a) prescribing standards for the conduct of
25
assessments and the preparation of cultural
heritage management plans under this Act;
(b) prescribing fees for evaluating cultural
heritage management plans or applications
for cultural heritage permits;
30
(c) generally any other matter or thing that is
authorised or required to be prescribed or
necessary to be prescribed to carry out this
Act.
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s. 194
(2) The regulations--
(a) may be of general or of specially limited
application; and
(b) may differ according to differences in time,
place or circumstance; and
5
(c) may require a matter affected by the
regulations to be--
(i) in accordance with a specified standard
or specified requirement; or
(ii) approved by or to the satisfaction of a
10
specified person or a specified class of
person; or
(iii) as specified in both sub-paragraphs (i)
and (ii); and
(d) may apply, adopt or incorporate any matter
15
contained in any document whether--
(i) wholly or partially or as amended by
the regulations; or
(ii) as in force at a particular time or as in
force from time to time; and
20
(e) may confer a discretionary authority or
impose a duty on a specified person or a
specified class of person; and
(f) may provide in a specified case or class of
case for the exemption of activities or
25
operations from all or any of the provisions
of this Act, whether unconditionally or on
specified conditions, and either wholly or to
such an extent as is specified; and
(g) may be expressed as requiring the
30
achievement of a specified object in relation
to any particular subject matter.
__________________
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Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
Act No.
Part 13--Repeal, Saving and Transitional Provisions and Amendment of
s. 195
Acts
PART 13--REPEAL, SAVING AND TRANSITIONAL
PROVISIONS AND AMENDMENT OF ACTS
195. Repeal
See:
The Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics Act No.
Preservation Act 1972 is repealed.
5 8273.
Reprint No. 5
as at
22 April 1999
and
amending
Act No.
108/2004.
LawToday:
www.dms.
dpc.vic.
gov.au
196. Saving and transitional provisions
Schedule 1 contains saving and transitional
provisions.
See:
197. Amendment of the Victorian Civil and Act No.
Administrative Tribunal Act 1998
10 53/1998.
Reprint No. 4
In Schedule 1 to the Victorian Civil and as at
1 March 2006
Administrative Tribunal Act 1998, after Part 1 and
insert-- amending
Acts Nos
16/2005,
"PART 1A--ABORIGINAL HERITAGE ACT 2006 49/2005,
57/2005,
15 61/2005 and
2A. Constitution of Tribunal
97/2005.
The Tribunal is to be constituted for the purposes of a LawToday:
www.dms.
proceeding under Part 8 of the Aboriginal Heritage
dpc.vic.
Act 2006 by-- gov.au
(a) one member who has sound knowledge of, and
20 experience in, Aboriginal cultural heritage; or
(b) if it is constituted by 2 members, at least one
member who has sound knowledge of, and
experience in, Aboriginal cultural heritage; or
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Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
Act No.
Part 13--Repeal, Saving and Transitional Provisions and Amendment of
s. 198
Acts
(c) if it is constituted by 3, 4 or 5 members, at least
2 members who have sound knowledge of, and
experience in, Aboriginal cultural heritage.".
198. Consequential amendments
On the coming into operation of an item in
5
Schedule 2, the Act referred to in the heading to
that item is amended as set out in that item.
__________________
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Sch. 1
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1
Section 196
SAVING AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
5 1. Definitions
In this Schedule--
"commencement day" means the day on which section 195
of this Act comes into operation;
"Commonwealth Act" means the Aboriginal and Torres
10 Strait Islander Heritage Preservation Act 1984 of the
Commonwealth as in force immediately before the
commencement day;
"old Act" means the Archaeological and Aboriginal
Relics Preservation Act 1972.
15 2. Application of Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984
Except where the contrary intention appears, this Schedule
does not affect or take away from the Interpretation of
Legislation Act 1984.
3. Continuation of old Act and regulations
20 If a provision of the old Act continues to apply by force of
this Schedule, the following provisions also continue to
apply in relation to that provision--
(a) any other provision of the old Act necessary to give
effect to that continued provision; and
25 (b) any regulation made under the old Act for the
purposes of that continued provision.
4. Superseded references
On and from the commencement day, in any Act (other than
this Act or a provision of the old Act continued by this Act),
30 or in any instrument made under any Act or in any other
document of any kind--
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Sch. 1
(a) a reference to the old Act is deemed to be a reference
to the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006; and
(b) a reference to an archaeological relic or relic within
the meaning of the old Act is deemed to be a
5 reference to an Aboriginal object--
so far as it relates to any period on and from the
commencement day, unless the context otherwise requires.
5. Reports of discovery of Aboriginal human remains
Without limiting section 17(4), it is also a defence to
10 proceedings under section 17(3) if the person had reasonable
cause to believe that a report had been made under
section 21P of the Commonwealth Act in relation to the
Aboriginal human remains.
6. Permits and consents
15 (1) A reference in section 29 to a cultural heritage permit
includes a reference to the following--
(a) a consent granted under section 21U(4) or 21U(5) of
the Commonwealth Act and existing immediately
before the commencement day;
20 (b) a consent granted by the Minister under section 21 of
the old Act and existing immediately before the
commencement day.
(2) A reference in section 33 to a cultural heritage permit
includes a reference to a consent to possess granted under
25 section 26A of the old Act and existing immediately before
the commencement day.
(3) A reference in section 34 to a cultural heritage permit
includes a reference to a consent granted under section 22
or 26A of the old Act and existing immediately before the
30 commencement day.
7. Cultural heritage agreements
A reference in section 33 to a cultural heritage agreement
includes a reference to an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
Agreement made under section 21K of the Commonwealth
35 Act and existing immediately before the commencement
day.
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8. Interim protection declarations
Section 100 does not apply to the making of the first interim
protection declaration under this Act in respect of a place or
object if--
5 (a) immediately before the commencement day there was
a temporary declaration of preservation in force under
section 21D of the Commonwealth Act in respect of
the place or object; and
(b) the interim protection declaration is in the same or
10 similar terms as the temporary declaration of
preservation.
9. Ongoing protection declarations
Section 106 does not apply to the making of an ongoing
protection declaration under this Act in respect of a place or
15 object if--
(a) immediately before the commencement day there was
a declaration of preservation in force under
section 21E of the Commonwealth Act in respect of
the place or object; and
20 (b) the ongoing protection declaration is in the same or
similar terms as the declaration of preservation.
10. Seizure of things
Section 31 of the old Act continues to apply to any relic
seized under that section and detained immediately before
25 the commencement day as if the old Act had not been
repealed.
11. Savings and transitional regulations
(1) The regulations may contain provisions of a savings and
transitional nature consequent on the enactment of this Act.
30 (2) A provision mentioned in sub-clause (1) may be made
retrospective in operation to a day on or after the
commencement day.
(3) A provision referred to in sub-clause (1) has effect despite
anything to the contrary in any Act (other than this
35 Schedule) or subordinate instrument.
__________________
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Act No.
Sch. 2
SCHEDULE 2
Section 198
CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS
1. Alcoa (Portland Aluminium Smelter) Act 1980
5 (1) Insert the following heading to section 13--
"Exemption from Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006".
(2) In section 13, for "The provisions of the Archaeological
and Aboriginal Relics Preservation Act 1972 shall not
apply--" substitute "The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
10 does not apply--".
2. Confiscation Act 1997
In Schedule 1, for item 3 substitute--
"3. An offence against section 34(1)(c) of the Aboriginal
Heritage Act 2006 (buying or selling an Aboriginal
15 object).".
3. Extractive Industries Development Act 1995
(1) For sections 10(c) and 10(d) substitute--
"(c) land in respect of which an ongoing protection
declaration is in force under the Aboriginal Heritage
20 Act 2006.".
(2) In section 11(2)(a), for "Archaeological and Aboriginal
Relics Preservation Act 1972" substitute "Aboriginal
Heritage Act 2006".
(3) For section 11(2)(b) substitute--
25 "(b) any registered Aboriginal party (within the meaning
of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006) for an area to
which the application relates.".
4. Geothermal Energy Resources Act 2005
In section 87, for "Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics
30 Preservation Act 1972 or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 of the
Commonwealth" substitute "Aboriginal Heritage
Act 2006".
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5. Mineral Resources Development Act 1990
(1) In section 4(1)--
(a) the definitions of "Aboriginal object" and "Aboriginal
place" are repealed; and
5 (b) in the definition of "low impact exploration", for
paragraph (a)(iv) substitute--
"(iv) without disturbing any Aboriginal cultural
heritage within the meaning of the Aboriginal
Heritage Act 2006 that is recorded in the
10 Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register under
that Act; and".
(2) For sections 6(1)(c) and 6(1)(d) substitute--
"(c) land in respect of which an ongoing protection
declaration is in force under the Aboriginal Heritage
15 Act 2006;".
(3) In section 18(a), for "Archaeological and Aboriginal
Relics Preservation Act 1972" substitute "Aboriginal
Heritage Act 2006".
(4) For section 18(b) substitute--
20 "(b) any registered Aboriginal party (within the meaning
of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006) for an area to
which the application relates.".
(5) For sections 45(1)(a)(xi) and 45(1)(a)(xii) substitute--
"(xi) land in respect of which an ongoing protection
25 declaration is in force under the Aboriginal Heritage
Act 2006; or
(xii) any Aboriginal place within the meaning of the
Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 that is recorded in the
Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register under that
30 Act; or".
(6) Section 45(6) is repealed.
(7) For section 58(1)(d) substitute--
"(d) disturb any Aboriginal cultural heritage (within the
meaning of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006) on
35 the land.".
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Act No.
Sch. 2
(8) For section 62(1)(d) substitute--
"(d) disturb any Aboriginal cultural heritage (within the
meaning of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006) on
the land.".
5 6. Petroleum Act 1998
In section 146, for "Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics
Preservation Act 1972 nor the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 of the
Commonwealth" substitute "Aboriginal Heritage
10 Act 2006".
7. Very Fast Train (Route Investigation) Act 1989
For section 22 substitute--
"22. Application of Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
Nothing in this Act affects the operation of the
15 Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.".
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Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
Act No.
Endnotes
ENDNOTES
By Authority. Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
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