2002 – 2003

THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

SENATE

AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE COUNCIL BILL 2002

SUPPLEMENTARY EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Amendments to be Moved on Behalf of the Government

(Circulated by authority of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, 
The Hon. Dr David Kemp MP)

AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE COUNCIL BILL 2002

OUTLINE

The Australian Heritage Council Bill 2002, as introduced into the House of Representatives, establishes the Australian Heritage Council, sets out the structure of the Council and states the Council's functions in relation to maintaining the Register of the National Estate.

The Government amendments to the Bill will:

•	clarify the requirements to be met for the inclusion of places in the Register of the National Estate by the Australian Heritage Council.

Financial impact statement
The amendments will have no financial impact.

NOTES ON ITEMS
Item 1
This item omits subclauses 22(2) and (3) of the Bill as introduced and substitutes a proposed new subclause (2) to improve clarity in relation to the assessment of places for inclusion in the Register of the National Estate. A place must have significant heritage value according to one or more of the criteria in order to be included in the Register. An additional criterion is inserted allowing a place to possess significant heritage value because of its importance as part of indigenous tradition.
A note is inserted clarifying that the meaning of “heritage value” is as defined in s.528 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.