Australian Heritage Commission

The Australian Heritage Commission (AHC) was the Australian federal government authority established in 1975 as the first body to manage natural and cultural heritage in Australia until its demise in 2004.

The Australian Heritage Commission was one of a number of ventures by the Whitlam Labor Government to establish cultural heritage as a more substantial government activity. In his Policy Speech in November, 1972, the Federal Labor leader said that ...one overriding objective of a Labor Government would be 'to preserve and enhance the quality of the National Estate. When the Labor Government came to office in December 1972 a Committee of Inquiry into the National Estate was set up, with terms of reference ...to report on: the nature and state of the National Estate; the measures presently being adopted; the measures which should be adopted; the role which the Australian Government should play in the preservation and enhancement of the National Estate; the manner in which the National Trusts of Australia and other appropriate conservation groups could be supported by public funds and the amount required in order that these bodies can immediately increase their effectiveness, in arguing and working for the preservation and enhancement of the Nation1 Estate.

The AHC had a wide gamut, covering natural, indigenous and historical heritage. It was first proposed in the Government-appointed Committee of Inquiry into the National Estate, chaired by Mr Justice R.M. Hope, in April 1973. The Committee reported to Federal Parliament in August 1974 that ...uncontrolled development, economic growth and 'progress' to that time had had a very detrimental effect on Australia's national estate... and called for ...prompt action and public education to prevent further neglect and destruction.

An Interim Committee on the National Estate was formed in August 1974 to continue the work of the Inquiry and begin to develop a national policy for the National Estate, based on UNESCO’s Committee for the Protection of World Cultural and National Heritage, which spoke of an ‘International Estate’. The Australian Heritage Commission Act 1975 was assented to on 19 June 1975. The Commission was a statutory authority, responsible to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment, Sport and Territories. Commissioners meet four to six times a year, and with the part-time Chairman and six part-time Commissioners being chosen for their skills and interest in the natural and cultural environment.

In the 1980s and 90s the AHC developed a number of policy documents which became standard heritage practice. Heritage practitioners including Jane Lennon and Michael Pearson were important figures in this process. The first meeting of the seven part-time members of AHC chaired by (now Professor) David Yencken, was held on 27 July 1976. A small staff supported the work of the Chairman and Commissioners.

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