Mr Latham asked the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts, upon notice, on 5 March 1998:

(1) Can the Minister say (a) what items of indigenous cultural property have been repatriated to Australia since 1988 and (b) when, whence and in what circumstances they were repatriated.

(2) What decisions and recommendations were made concerning indigenous cultural property and archives at the 13th meeting of the Cultural Ministers Council in Adelaide on 27 February 1998.

(3) When and where will the 13th meeting of the council be held.

Mr Warwick Smith (Minister for Family Services) —The Minister for Communications and the Arts has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

(1) The return of indigenous cultural property from overseas falls within the portfolio responsibilities of the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.

(2) At the 13th meeting of the Cultural Ministers Council held in Adelaide on 27 February 1998, members endorsed the approach set out in the strategic plan for the repatriation of indigenous ancestral remains and secret/sacred objects by 2001. The objectives of the strategic plan are to:

. identify where possible, the origins of all ancestral remains and secret/sacred

. objects held in museums, with records placed in national databases;

. notify all affected indigenous communities; and

. negotiate with museums and communities concerning repatriation when and

. where requested.

Ministers undertook to consider funding for the implementation of the strategy in accordance with the agreed CMC formula and agreed to report back on deliberations by 30 June 1998 or at the next Standing Committee meeting, whichever is the sooner.

(3) The 14th meeting of the Cultural Ministers Council will be held in June 1998, in New South Wales.