The WA Government is revising its Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act.

The Western Australian (WA) government has presented its proposed changes for consultation with stakeholders. 

The legislation overhaul, which was introduced in 2021, faced widespread criticism, leading to its swift abandonment by Premier Roger Cook just weeks after its implementation.

The Premier acknowledged the flaws in the legislation, acknowledging that it was overly prescriptive and complex, causing confusion among traditional landowners and farmers. 

Consequently, the government moved to repeal the contentious laws and replace them with a modified version of the 1972 legislation.

The 1972 Act had previously included the controversial 'Section 18,' which allowed Rio Tinto to demolish culturally significant caves at Juukan Gorge in 2020. 

The government is now taking measures to amend this section to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

Draft regulations outlining the specifics of the amended laws have been distributed to select groups, including an implementation committee and Aboriginal organisations, to solicit their feedback. 

These regulations will establish clear timeframes for activities that could disturb culturally significant sites and streamline administrative processes.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti says the government is committed to simplifying the process for managing and safeguarding Aboriginal cultural heritage. The proposed amendments aim to address critical concerns without introducing unnecessary complexity.

The 2021 legislation faced continuous opposition as it progressed through parliament, with critics arguing that associated regulations exacerbated confusion. 

Industry groups like WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association welcomed the government's reversal, as complying with the rules was deemed overly time-consuming and costly.

Opposition leader Shane Love, a staunch advocate for repealing the legislation, expressed concerns about the government's process. 

He called for an immediate overturn of the 2021 Act, followed by thoughtful discussions to adapt the 1972 Act to current needs. 

Love criticised the government for its lack of collaboration with the opposition and the community.

The government, however, assured that it would not enforce the 2021 Act. 

Dr Buti indicated that the opposition would likely receive a briefing on the new regulations in the coming days. 

The amendments are scheduled for parliamentary debate next week.