Victorian Numbered Acts

ABORIGINAL HERITAGE ACT 2006 (NO 16 OF 2006) - SECT 3

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 knowledge and cultural and traditional practices;

        (b)     to recognise Aboriginal people as the primary guardians, keepers and knowledge holders of Aboriginal cultural heritage;

        (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 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;

        (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 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;

              (i)     to establish mechanisms that enable the resolution of disputes relating to the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage;

        (j)     to provide appropriate sanctions and penalties to prevent harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage.