The following self-explanatory letter was sent to the Director General of the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) today:
Anthony Kannis PSM
Director General
Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
By email: [email]
9 February 2026
Dear Anthony,
REQUEST TO PUBLISH PAPERS OF ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE MEETINGS
I write in my capacity at WAFarmers with the support of the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA (PGA) to ask you to direct the relevant officers of the department to immediately publish all agendas, related papers and minutes for all previous and forthcoming meetings of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Committee (ACHC).
Doing so would be a relatively simple and inexpensive administrative task that would deliver a number of positive outcomes for the department, the ACHC and the wider public, including:
- mitigate arguments that property owners and land users have no way of knowing what is being considered and decided by the committee,
- lessen the opportunity for ignorant skepticism about the work and performance of the ACHC,
- contribute to a stronger reputation as an agile, transparent and accountable department,
- help progress several of the ACHC’s “Priority focus areas” as stated in its “Statement of Strategic Intent – 2024” document (https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2025-08/aboriginal-cultural-heritage-committee-statement-of-strategic-intent.pdf), namely:
- point 1 – bullets 1 to 4, but especially 3 (“Understanding the functions of the ACHC and its role”), and 4 (“The ACHC role in informed consent decision making”).
- point 2 (“Valuing and engaging with all stakeholders”)
- point 3 (“Ensuring statutory obligations are met in a transparent and impartial manner”)
- point 4, bullet 3 (“Transparency and accountability”)
I sincerely hope this request is received in the practical spirit intended and prompts a quick change for the better. Of course, if you are unable to make this improvement or would like to discuss any other opportunities to make things better please call or email me at any time.
Yours sincerely,
Darren Brown
Mobile: [number]
