Five years on from Juukan Gorge, a breakthrough in heritage reform.
The destruction of Juukan Gorge in 2020 was a turning point that shocked the world. This week, a long-opposed partnership has emerged:
The First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance and the Minerals Council of Australia have reached historic agreement on the framework for long-promised federal heritage law reform.
The aim?
To identify in law who speaks for Country,
To streamline engagement with cultural authority in each region,
To ensure business and community can move forward together — protecting cultural assets while creating new opportunities.
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has committed to pushing the reforms forward, calling it a once-in-a-generation chance to heal and build certainty for Traditional Owners and industry alike.
As Wiradjuri leader Roy Ah-See and others have stressed, cultural authority must remain clear, respected, and embedded within these reforms — ensuring we don’t repeat past mistakes.
Heritage isn’t just about the past. It’s about respect, voice, and the future we build together.
#HeritageReform #FirstNations #CulturalHeritage #Mining #JuukanGorge #Reconciliation #australia
Photo Source: The Guardian (Davidson (2020))
Article Source: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/.../5314585b627c36e76ced...
