Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 16 March 2011:

With reference to national heritage strategy and the answer to question on notice no. 320 (Senate Hansard, 1 March 2011, p. 866) which said: 'The Australian Government is developing a number of national leadership initiatives in relation to heritage. This includes the recently announced Australian Heritage Week':

(1) Can details be provided about the full range of 'national leadership initiatives' as mentioned in the answer.

(2) What is the timing for the development of any strategy.

(3) What is the extent of stakeholder consultation proposed as part of developing a strategy.

(4) (a) What is the scope of the strategy; and (b) will it be limited to just Commonwealth activities or will it be truly national in scope.

(5) Will a draft strategy be publicly released for comment.

(6) What is the role of the Australian Heritage Council in the development of a strategy

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question

(1) National leadership initiatives in development include major National Heritage assessments, the inaugural Australian Heritage Week in April 2011 and an Australian Heritage Strategy.

(2) On 10 February 2011 the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities wrote to Premiers and Chief Ministers inviting them to select a Minister who is responsible for heritage and can speak for natural, historic and Indigenous heritage to attend a special purpose meeting of Heritage Ministers. This meeting will help provide a common direction for all jurisdictions in the development of an Australian Heritage Strategy.

(3) Stakeholder consultation is an important consideration in the development of an Australian Heritage Strategy. The process for consultations will be developed in the near future.

(4) An Australian Heritage Strategy will help guide a common direction for the Commonwealth, states and territories, generating a clear vision, shared objectives and priorities for heritage.

(5) The mechanisms for consultation have not yet been finalised.

(6) The Department is in discussion with Dr Carmen Lawrence, chair of the Australian Heritage Council, about the Council's role in the development of an Australian Heritage Strategy.