Consultation open for draft policy for managing gender-restricted information relating to First Nations cultural heritage

In accordance with Traditional Lore, First Nations peoples may hold sensitive or restricted cultural knowledge that is relevant to understanding the values and sensitivities of the environment and the potential impacts on those values and sensitivities from offshore energy projects and activities regulated under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhous Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009 (the Environment Regulations).

In recognition of this, NOPSEMA has today published a draft policy for managing gender-restricted information for a three-month consultation period.

The draft policy outlines the principles that will govern NOPSEMA’s management of gender-restricted, and other culturally sensitive or restricted information, that may be relevant to decisions made under the Environment Regulations.

Interested stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the draft policy during the submission period Wednesday, 5 April 2023 to Wednesday, 5 July 2023, please visit Consultation Hub. 

In addition to publishing the draft policy for consultation, NOPSEMA will engage directly with First Nations groups to seek feedback.

Requests for additional time to provide feedback on the draft policy will be considered by emailing NOPSEMA at feedback@nopsema.gov.au.