The destruction of Juukan Gorge highlighted the weakness of current legal protections for First Nations cultural heritage. The ongoing exploitation of country for fossil fuel projects, despite the opposition of Traditional Owners, also highlights the inadequacy of consultation rules and the absence of “free prior and informed consent” obligations.
Positively, there has been an expansion of Indigenous Protected Areas and support for indigenous rangers, growing integration of indigenous land management practices likes burning regimes, and some effective co-management arrangements for sea country within the Great Barrier Reef.
A review of federal cultural heritage laws is underway, but no clear commitments have been made. Cultural heritage laws will need to be developed by and for First Nations communities to ensure they are fit for purpose, and adequately recognise and protect cultural landscapes, songlines and intangible heritage.
The High Court has agreed to hear Traditional Owners’ appeal against a huge agricultural groundwater licence in the NT that threatens sacred sites and cultural practices
The Yoorrook Justice Commission released its final report, Truth be Told. The report details the experiences of Victoria’s First Peoples and sets out a clear and targeted roadmap for reform, including progress on water rights, embedding free prior and informed consent in all land management decisions, developing a First Peoples’ Climate Justice Strategy, and establishing a Self Determination Fund from revenue generated from using natural resources.
Common Threads has launched Together for Treaty, a long term national campaign led by first Nations people, using story telling and community organising to create the environment for political action on truth and Treaty across the country.
South Australia’s landmark new Biodiversity Act extends protection to culturally significant biodiversity and establishes an Aboriginal Biodiversity Committee to co-design conservation policies
Traditional owners have signed the Roper River Declaration, calling for a Ropa Woda Governance Council to be included in all future water decisions, and a ban on new water extraction licences in the Roper catchment
The High Court made a landmark judgement in Commonwealth vs Yunupingu, finding the Gumatj Clan of the Yolngu People in North-East Arnhem Land was eligible for compensation from the Commonwealth for land acquired for bauxite mining in the Gove Peninsula
The latest Great Barrier Reef Scientific Consensus Statement confirms that land management practices in Reef catchments continue to degrade water quality and exacerbate climate impacts. The statement calls for more investment in research and monitoring, and collaborating with First Nations owners and farmers on locally-effective solutions
Use your membership or shareholder voice to raise issues with organisations regarding First Nations engagement, representation on Board and at events, and impacts on company operations
Consider setting procurement targets for First Nations businesses for any organisations you are involved with
