(1) Subject to
subsection (2), in relation to a person of Aboriginal descent who usually
lives subject to Aboriginal customary law, or in relation to any group of such
persons, this Act shall not be construed —
(a) so
as to take away or restrict any right or interest held or enjoyed in respect
to any place or object to which this Act applies, in so far as that right or
interest is exercised in a manner that has been approved by the Aboriginal
possessor or custodian of that place or object and is not contrary to the
usage sanctioned by the Aboriginal tradition relevant to that place or object;
or
(b) so
as to require any such person to disclose information or otherwise to act
contrary to any prohibition of the relevant Aboriginal customary law or
tradition.
(2) Nothing in
subsection (1) authorises any person, or group of persons, to dispose of or
exercise any right or interest, or any purported right or interest, in a
manner which is, in the opinion of the Minister, detrimental to the purposes
of this Act.
[Section 7 amended: No. 24 of 1995 s. 8.]