Senator the Hon. George Brandis S.C.

Minister for the Arts and Sport

8 May 2007

The Australian Government will provide $4.7 million over four years in continued funding to ensure Australian Indigenous ancestral remains and secret sacred objects can be returned to their community of origin, and to develop a framework for the repatriation of Indigenous remains of other nations which are held in Australian collections.

“The Australian Government recognises that the return of cultural property to its traditional custodians is extremely important to Indigenous communities. This funding will ensure the continuation of this vital programme which has so far seen the return of more than 1,475 remains and 603 secret sacred objects,” the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, said today.

The Return of Indigenous Cultural Property programme funds the repatriation of Australian Indigenous ancestral remains and secret sacred objects held in the collections of the eight major Australian museums in partnership with State and Territory governments.

“While we have made considerable progress in returning ancestral remains and secret sacred objects to Indigenous communities, it is estimated that the eight major museums participating in the current programme collectively hold more than 7,070 ancestral remains and more than 11,448 secret sacred objects,” Senator Brandis said.

Funding has also been provided to develop a framework for the return of non-Australian Indigenous remains held in Australian collections to their countries of origin.

Media contact: Travis Bell 0448 950 248

Supporting Information

Return of Indigenous Cultural Property programme to continue

Why is this important?

• The return of Indigenous cultural property to traditional custodians and places of rest is extremely important to Indigenous communities. The continuation of Australian Government funding will ensure that major Australian museums can continue to undertake the specialised and time consuming tasks of provenance and community negotiations for the return of cultural property, and will support Indigenous communities in the repatriation process.
• The Return of Indigenous Cultural Property programme aims to identify the origins of Indigenous ancestral remains and secret sacred objects held in Australian museums, notify the communities, and either store the ancestral remains and secret sacred objects at the request of the relevant community or arrange for repatriation. Funding is provided for provenance research, community consultation, freight, transport, and burial and ceremonial expenses.
• Eight Australian museums participate in the program. They are:
• National Museum of Australia
• Australian Museum
• Queensland Museum
• Western Australian Museum
• Museum Victoria
• South Australian Museum
• Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
• Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
• The Australian Government has been active in seeking the return of Australian Indigenous remains from overseas. This funding will also assist in developing a framework for reciprocal arrangements for the return of non-Australian remains from Australian collections to their country of origin.

Who will benefit?

• Indigenous communities.
• Funding is provided through the museums for provenance research, community consultation, freight, transport, and burial and ceremonial expenses.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

• $4.7 million over four years.

What have we done in the past?

• The Return of Indigenous Cultural Property programme began in 1999-2000 with a contribution of $1.5 million over three years from the Australian Government and matched funding from the states and territories .

When will the initiative conclude?

• 2011