Today marks World Heritage Day (International Day for Monuments and Sites) and the Albanese Government is reaffirming its commitment to protecting and preserving our unique heritage places, now and into the future.
Over the last year, the Government has worked with international partners, state, territory and local governments, Traditional Owner groups and communities to progress two World Heritage nominations, add one new site to the World Heritage List and three new sites to the National Heritage List.
By recognising, protecting and managing Australia's heritage, we can ensure these outstanding places will continue to be experienced and enjoyed by future generations.
Earlier this year, Australia joined Denmark and Belgium in a transnational World Heritage List nomination for four workers' assembly halls, including Broken Hill Trades Hall in NSW and Victorian Trades Hall in Melbourne.
These buildings are some of the oldest purpose-built trades halls in the world and were important in both domestic and international democratic labour movements.
The Albanese Government has also submitted a World Heritage nomination for the Flinders Ranges.
Located on the traditional lands of the Adnyamathanha people in South Australia, the Flinders Ranges holds one of the most complete and significant records of the evolution of multicellular animal life on earth.
Last year, Australia proudly welcomed UNESCO's decision to inscribe the Murujuga Cultural Landscape to the World Heritage List.
Led by Ngarda-Ngarli, the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Murujuga Cultural Landscape, supported by governments, the nomination was 20 years in the making.
Australia has 21 properties on the World Heritage List, including the sacred Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, the picturesque Sydney Opera House and the iconic Great Barrier Reef.
In the last 18 months alone, the Albanese Government announced $212 million in funding for Great Barrier Reef programs.
This is part of the Government's record $1.2 billion investment over nine years to 2030, to protect and restore the Reef.
Australia's National Heritage List recognises our most significant natural, historic and First Nations places and is made up of more than 120 places. This now includes Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade Route, which was added earlier this year for its outstanding contribution to the LGBTQIA+ community since the first march in 1978.
Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt said he was pleased to see progress made on the strong heritage protections already in place across Australia.
"We are among the best in the world at protecting and preserving our unique and diverse heritage places and we don't take that responsibility lightly.
"Our heritage places are a view into Australia's past, and a legacy for our children - from Country that has been managed by Traditional Owners for tens of thousands of years, to more recent moments in our history - and it is important that we look after them for future generations.
"Understanding Australia's heritage helps shape our identity, our spirit and our ingenuity, which will help define our future."
