Aboriginal Cultural Heritage (Culture is Identity) Bill 2022

Please note: Aboriginal Affairs NSW did not have a role in the drafting of the Private Member’s Bill.

On 21 June 2022 the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage (Culture is Identity) Bill 2022 was introduced in the Legislative Council by the Hon. Fred Nile MLC. The Bill was referred by Parliament to Portfolio Committee No.7 for Parliamentary Inquiry, on 9 August 2022.

Aboriginal Affairs NSW coordinated and led a whole of Government submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry. A copy of the NSW Government submission can be found here.  

The Committee considered submissions made by Aboriginal communities, organisations and other stakeholders. A total of 27 submissions, including the NSW Government’s submission were received by the Portfolio Committee, most of which are publicly available.

On 8 November 2022, Portfolio Committee No. 7 released its final report on the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Hon. Fred Nile MLC’s Private Member’s Bill, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage (Culture is Identity) Bill 2022. A copy of the report can be found here.

The report highlights a number of significant findings based on evidence provided. The NSW Government acknowledges the diversity within Aboriginal communities and the varied opinions expressed in the report. The report included 3 recommendations which the Government supports as far as practicable. The NSW Government’s response to the Committee’s report can be found here.

Further information on the Private Members Bill can be found here.

More information regarding Aboriginal Cultural Heritage reform led by Aboriginal Affairs can be found here.