Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Protections in the Northern Territory

摘要

While there will always be a practical need to strike a balance between protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage and development, there is no reason why the consultative model provided by the Sacred Sites Act cannot, and should not, be adopted nationally in the context of protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage more broadly. This would ensure that Aboriginal cultural heritage sites and objects are protected in accordance with the views and instructions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and that such views and instructions are sought by means of free, prior and informed consent.