Aboriginal Heritage (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 6 February 2024.)

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:50): I thank honourable members for their contributions on the second reading of this bill. As honourable members have pointed out, this does a number of things. Principally, it implements a commitment we took to the last election to increase a range of penalties in relation to breaches of the Aboriginal Heritage Act to bring it more in line with what happens in other jurisdictions interstate but also with what happens in other regulatory regimes, such as breaching environmental acts designed to protect the environment. It also clarifies and codifies some of the uncertainty that arose from the decision in the Bilney v Kelaray matter.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

Bill taken through committee without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:53): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.