Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water, by no later than midday on Monday, 4 September 2023:

(a) a list of dates, since 31 May 2022, on which the Minister for the Environment and Water has formally met with the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance to discuss Indigenous cultural heritage protection laws;

(b) a copy of the second options paper on 'First Nations cultural heritage protection reform' that was scheduled, in mid 2022, to be completed by early 2023;

(c) a list of dates, since 1 July 2022, on which the Minister for the Environment and Water formally met with interested members of the community to discuss Indigenous cultural heritage protection laws;

(d) a list of attendees and dates, since 1 July 2022, of meetings between the Minister for the Environment and Water and business and industry representatives to discuss Indigenous cultural heritage protection laws;

(e) any emails, file notes, briefing materials and other written correspondence between the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and the Minister for the Environment and Water, since 31 May 2022, on the subject of Indigenous cultural heritage protection laws; and

(f) any documents, including minutes, agendas and communiques, related to formal meetings of DCCEEW staff and the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance since 30 September 2022.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is allowed for one minute.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government will not be supporting this motion. We are happy to offer the senator a detailed briefing on the status of cultural heritage reforms if he is interested. We are happy to speak to him about the process that was started by his colleague the former minister for the environment. It is being conducted in partnership with the First Nations organisation that the Liberal Party originally contacted to provide advice, and it builds on a parliamentary inquiry that was chaired by the Liberal member for Leichhardt. This process is in its early stages. We are conducting a thorough and thoughtful consultation. We will be consulting with business, farmers, environment groups and others as we go. Everyone will have the chance to have their say. We do not believe this is an efficient use of departmental and parliamentary resources, when the briefing offer remains open. We're very happy to discuss this situation with the senator whenever he is ready.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 296 standing in the name of Senator Duniam be agreed to.