3 February 2016
Image: Sidney Nolan, Ned Kelly, 1946, enamel paint on composition board, 90.8 x
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Gift of Sunday Reed 1977. - Sidney Nolan, Ned Kelly 1946, enamel on composition board

The Australian Government has released the final report of the independent review of the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986.

The review, conducted by Mr Shane Simpson AM, Borders of Culture: Review of the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986 was provided to the Government on 30 September 2015.

The Act, which has not been substantially amended since its enactment more than 25 years ago, regulates the export of objects that are significant to our history.

It also plays an important role in protecting Australia's cultural heritage by assisting collecting institutions to acquire significant cultural material and provides for the return of foreign cultural property which has been illegally exported from its country of origin.

The Review of the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act consultation page provides more information about the review of the Act and the final report, Borders of Culture: Review of the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986.

Read the full Final report for review of Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986 media release.