home | news l

Indigenous Heritage consultation: Australian organisations keen to Ask First

17 December 2002 - Australian Heritage Commission - Media Release - Due to high demand from Australian organisations wanting to know how to consult Indigenous communities about planning and development, the country's first comprehensive guidelines to protecting Indigenous heritage have been reprinted.

Australian Heritage Commission Chairman (AHC) Tom Harley said the re-print of Ask First: A guide to respecting Indigenous heritage places and values comes only six months after the guide's launch in June.

Ten thousand copies later, the AHC has again had to go to the presses to satisfy demand for one of its fastest moving publications.

"We're pleased to update and re-print Ask First to meet consumer and industry demand," Mr Harley said.

"The Australian community want to know more about the right way to consult Indigenous people about Indigenous heritage and they are keen to do so. There has been a fantastic response from mining companies, local, State and Commonwealth agencies, consultancies, law firms, universities and non-government organisations.

"Internationally, representatives from Canada, New Zealand, the UK and Africa have also shown an interest in the guide at international meetings."

Mr Harley said planning and development decisions can unwittingly affect the values of Indigenous heritage places—with decision makers sometimes seeing Indigenous heritage issues as complex and difficult to discuss with Indigenous communities.

Written after more than five years of research, Ask First is a practical guide for land developers, land users and managers, cultural heritage professionals and others who have an impact on Indigenous heritage, he said.

"By using this guide and working together, we can ensure that the rights and interests of Indigenous people in maintaining their heritage is accepted and respected," Mr Harley said.

"I have no doubt that in doing so, all Australians will benefit."

• Download PDF copy of Ask First (380kb PDF file)
  

Source:Australian Heritage Commission

Further information: Culture issues page - includes news index and external links