- State Government to work with National Native Title Tribunal to review Native Title and Aboriginal cultural heritage processes in Western Australia's mining and exploration sector
- Review to consider options to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and equity of processes strictly as it relates to the sector under current legislation
- Targeted consultation with Aboriginal and industry stakeholders to inform review
The State Government will undertake a targeted review into Native Title and Aboriginal cultural heritage processes in Western Australia's mining and exploration sector with a focus on improving outcomes for both Traditional Owners and industry.
That review - which will strictly focus on these processes as they pertain to mining and exploration under current legislation - will be conducted in partnership with the National Native Title Tribunal and will identify options to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and equity of WA's Native Title and Aboriginal cultural heritage processes.
Issues it will examine include the interaction of consultation processes under current legislation and the capacity of relevant stakeholders to participate in these processes, and how these processes deliver social, economic and community benefits and contribute to Western Australia's commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The targeted review will not consider any legislative amendments.
The four-month review will commence next month and involve a series of on-Country meetings, targeted roundtables and workshops.
A final report is expected to be provided to the State Government by the end of the year.
For further information, including the review's terms of reference, head to www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/native-title-and-cultural-heritage-processes-review
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Native Title is a major feature of the social, cultural and economic landscape in Western Australia, with more than 90 per cent of the State subject to a Native Title outcome.
"This targeted review is a timely and important opportunity to strengthen the way we manage Aboriginal cultural heritage in WA and find better ways to navigate statutory consultation processes in the mining and exploration sector, under the current legislative frameworks.
"My government is committed to working with Traditional Owners and industry stakeholders to ensure these processes are effective, equitable and support long-term partnerships."
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch:
"The WA Government acknowledges the unique nature of Aboriginal cultural heritage and the need to protect, preserve and manage that heritage. Native Title bodies and regional corporations play a critical role in providing that protection.
"This review demonstrates the State Government's commitment to improving the effectiveness and workability of Western Australia's Native Title and Aboriginal cultural heritage settings under the current legislation frameworks.
"Working alongside the National Native Title Tribunal will ensure consultations are targeted and focused on meaningful outcomes for all stakeholders."
As stated by National Native Title Tribunal President Kevin Smith:
"The National Native Title Tribunal looks forward to supporting the Western Australian Government to undertake focused and meaningful consultations with Traditional Owners and industry stakeholders to better understand how consultation processes can be improved upon to support Native Title parties to protect, preserve and manage their cultural heritage."
