3Objectives

3 Objectives The objectives of this Act are— (a) to recognise, protect and conserve Aboriginal cultural heritage in Victoria in ways that are based on respect for Aboriginal knowledge and cultural and traditional practices; (b) to recognise Aboriginal people as the primary guardians, keepers and knowledge holders of Aboriginal cultural heritage; S. 3(c) substituted by No. 11/2016 s. 4(1). (c) to accord appropriate status to traditional owners, including a preference to appoint traditional owner bodies corporate as registered Aboriginal parties; (d) to promote the management of Aboriginal cultural heritage as an integral part of land and natural resource management; (e) to promote public awareness and understanding of Aboriginal cultural heritage in Victoria; (f) to establish an Aboriginal cultural heritage register to record Aboriginal cultural heritage; (g) to establish processes for the timely and efficient assessment of activities that have the potential to harm Aboriginal cultural heritage; (h) to promote the use of agreements that provide for the management and protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage; (i) to establish mechanisms that enable the resolution of disputes relating to the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage; S. 3(j) amended by No. 11/2016 s. 4(2). (j) to provide appropriate sanctions and penalties to prevent harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage; S. 3(k) inserted by No. 11/2016 s. 4(3). (k) to recognise, protect and conserve Aboriginal intangible heritage by recording it on the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register.