These are the minimum obligations for all participants and decision makers in the CHMP process:
- Sponsors, RAPs and HAs will engage with each other in good faith
- Sponsors and HAs will respect RAP expertise and decisions and follow available processes to resolve disputes early and respectfully
- Sponsors and RAPs will respect HA expertise and the advice they provide
- Sponsors and HAs will respect the time reasonably required for RAPs to respond and coordinate CHMP activities, noting that the Act includes timeframe requirements for different steps of the CHMP process
- HAs and RAPs will respect the time pressures and fiscal constraints within which Sponsors must operate
- Sponsors and HAs will engage and consult early, appropriately and thoroughly with RAPs
- Sponsors will engage relevant expertise to provide the best information to inform RAP decisions
- HAs will work to best practice in their respective fields and undertake relevant and regular professional development
- RAPs, HAs and Sponsors will engage with dispute resolution processes fully and in good faith
- Decision makers will be guided by cultural knowledge, best practice research and investigation
- All CHMP participants and decision makers will treat the information provided by each other consistent with relevant laws and principles dealing with the provision, transmission and storage of information – particularly when dealing with Indigenous cultural knowledge and intellectual property.
- Government will effectively, efficiently and fairly regulate the CHMP process so the principles and obligations are achieved
- The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council will oversee the operations of RAPs so the principles and obligations are achieved.
Updated