
MINING BOOM IN CULTURAL EXPERTS
An advertisement for a heritage principal at Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting says the position is needed to “ensure compliance with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021”. It says the successful applicant will “provide project specific and general advice to business regarding new ACHA 2021 requirements and guidelines including drafting reports, memos, and internal business advice related to heritage.” Implementing the new Act has led to widespread criticism by farmers and businesses, with complaints centred on high compliance cost burdens for landholders and the potential deterrent to investment and jobs. Shadow lands minister Neil Thomson questioned why the additional departmental positions hadn’t been established when the Act came into force on July 1.