SA seeks new members for Aboriginal Heritage Committee, with nominations open until 25 May

South Australia’s government is calling for nominations from Aboriginal people to join the State Aboriginal Heritage Committee, a statutory body that plays a central role in advice and decision-making about the protection of Aboriginal sites, objects, and remains across the state.

The Attorney-General’s Department says nominations are open to South Australian Aboriginal people who live in the state and can demonstrate experience and interest in Aboriginal heritage, as well as an understanding of the committee’s functions and good governance principles. Nominations close at 5.00pm on Monday 25 May 2026.

Established under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (SA), the committee provides advice to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs on matters including entries in the central archives, measures to protect or preserve Aboriginal heritage, the appointment of heritage inspectors and Aboriginal heritage agreements. It also has decision-making responsibilities in appointing, suspending or revoking Recognised Aboriginal Representative Bodies – corporate bodies that consult with and speak for Traditional Owners in heritage matters.

The committee’s work can shape how development, land use and cultural heritage protection intersect, particularly when proposals may affect sites of cultural significance. For Traditional Owners and communities, decisions about who speaks for Country and how heritage is protected can have long-term implications for cultural continuity and community authority.

The department says membership involves preparing for meetings by reading documents in advance and regularly attending one-day meetings about every six weeks in Adelaide, alongside online meetings for urgent matters and possible out-of-session work such as consultation meetings on Country. Sitting fees are paid to non-government employees, with travel allowances available to eligible members at approved government rates.

Prospective members are expected to meet high standards of public-sector conduct. The nomination information points to South Australia’s “honesty and accountability” framework for boards and committees, which outlines duties for members and the wider integrity expectations that come with appointment to government bodies, including managing conflicts of interest and acting honestly when performing official functions.

Heritage protection frameworks differ across Australia but nationally the Commonwealth also recognises Indigenous-led stewardship of Country through mechanisms such as Indigenous Protected Areas, which support Traditional Owners to manage land and sea Country in line with community priorities.