2014 National Resting Place consultation report.

2014 National Resting Place Consultation Report

The Advisory Committee for Indigenous Repatriation provided the 2014 National Resting Place consultation Report (the Report) to the Australian Government. The Report proposes a national resting place to care for the remains of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestors that are unable to be returned to their communities of origin. This Report is an important piece of work which is informing ongoing discussions with government and future policy development.

Parliamentary Committees

Two Parliament Committees have made recommendations on the establishment of a National Resting Place:

In November 2018, the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies presented its Final Report. The fourth recommendation, recommends the Australian Government consider the establishment, in Canberra, of a National Resting Place for the remains of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ancestors which could be a place of commemoration, healing and reflection.

In April 2019, the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories tabled its report Telling Australia's Story—and why it's important: Report on the inquiry into Canberra's national institutions. The thirteenth recommendation, proposes the Australian Government relocate the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and expand its remit and facilities to constitute a comprehensive national institution focused on history, culture and heritage of Australia's Indigenous peoples, including a national resting place for repatriated ancestral remains that cannot immediately return to Country.

AIATSIS National Resting Place Scoping Study

In June 2019, the Australian Government committed $5 million to AIATSIS to undertake a scoping study and consultation as a first step. AIATSIS' statement on the proposed national resting place is available at https://aiatsis.gov.au/news-and-events/news/aiatsis-statement-recommendation-establishment-national-resting-place.