Page 375 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 18 February 2020
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MRS JONES (Murrumbidgee) (10.13): In the absence of Ms Lawder, I would like to speak to the Heritage Amendment Bill 2019. I state that the opposition will be supporting the bill in its current form.
With the indulgence of the chamber, I seek leave to take a break in the debate to get this house in order. I draw attention to the status of the house.
(Quorum formed.)
MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra) (10.16): I am happy to speak while we wait for a replacement speaker on the opposition side. I think Ms Le Couteur will speak as well. Perhaps we will try to speak slowly to indulge those on the opposite side of the chamber, who are trying to work out what they are going to do.
For those who do not know, this bill strengthens heritage compliance and enforcement tools to ensure that the heritage of the ACT is better protected and conserved. So, what is heritage, and why is it important that we protect heritage? The word “heritage” is a relatively new catch-all term that in recent times has encompassed the Indigenous, built and natural worlds. The word has gained wide international acceptance and usage since 1972, when UNESCO created the world cultural and natural heritage convention, which Australia signed in 1974.
Shortly after the establishment of self-government here in the ACT, the former Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991 commenced, with some heritage provisions. In May 1999, a consultancy report prepared by Dr Gerry Bates and commissioned by the ACT government, titled Review of the ACT Heritage Function, recommended a series of measures aimed at strengthening the ability to identify, assess and protect the heritage of the ACT. It specifically recommended revising the existing heritage legislation. Following five years of consultation with the community and key stakeholders, the Heritage Act 2004 came into force on 9 March 2005. Five years later, a further review was conducted and then a large suite of amendments were made in 2014. Now here we are in 2020—a new decade—and important new compliance provisions are being proposed in this bill.
The existence of standalone heritage demonstrates a level of community interest in, and value for, heritage. Heritage issues in the ACT tend to attract significant media interest, further demonstrating the far-reaching impacts of heritage regulation in the ACT, both positive and negative. While it is not possible to appease all parties with heritage matters, the reality is that we are merely temporary custodians of these important places and objects for future generations.
The vast majority of the places and objects on the ACT Heritage Register will outlast all of us here today. This Assembly and government must lead by example, not only in best practice management and conservation of heritage places and objects but also in ensuring that heritage compliance mechanisms under the heritage legislation are robust. We must ensure that a responsive system of heritage directions and compliance notifications are available to the government and the Heritage Council in order to respond effectively and efficiently to heritage compliance matters.
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