Throughout 2020 and 2021, the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council has progressed broad community consideration of the practical application of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (VIC), its failures and successes. Through this process, Council has been forced to reassess the commitment of both the community and the government to self-determination.The time has come for Traditional Owners to do more than play a part, they must realise their rights to control their Cultural Heritage through the law that governs the protection and management of that Cultural Heritage. Council has made 24 recommendations to the Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs for fundamentally necessary reforms of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (VIC). It is essential that, as a society, we truly understand that Traditional Owners are the only comprehensive knowledge holders of their Cultural Heritage. Once we understand that one, fundamental truth, then the changes we now recommend for their management of that Cultural Heritage are clear and purposeful. Such understandings are in step with the international benchmark set by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. If these reforms are affected, the positive change for protection, management and lived engagement with Cultural Heritage will be profound.

Custodial functions of local communities, State-wide Aboriginal heritage council.

In 1987 the Aboriginal Heritage Council Working Party was set up to gather information from Aboriginal people on how they believe that their heritage should be protected by them under an Aboriginal Heritage law.

The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council has a range of functions relating to the protection, management and promotion of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in Victoria. One specific function, introduced in the 2016 amendments to the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, is s132 (2)(cl) "to report to the Minister every five years on the state of Victoria's Aboriginal cultural heritage".This inaugural State of Victoria's Aboriginal Cultural Report 2016-2021 will set a benchmark for future and ongoing reporting on Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in Victoria. The Report will establish the way Cultural Heritage is talked about, reported against and considered across Government.It will explore the broader understanding of Cultural Heritage, including amongst other things language, tradition, Ancestors, Country, dance, song and knowledge. An expanded definition, pegged to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, is fundamental to understanding the Report.