Advocacy

The FAHS aims to represent and support the historical society sector at a national level. It is represented on federal bodies such as the Minister for Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts’ Heritage Working Group and the Regional Cultural Alliance (RCA). In addition to this, committee members attend relevant meetings, seminars and forums to maintain a presence in the field, and to have a voice in discussions affecting historical societies. The Federation makes written submissions to appropriate government agencies on a range of history and heritage issues.

In order to be an effective voice for historical societies throughout Australia, it is essential that the Federation knows what concerns/practical problems they consider should be addressed at the federal/state/local government levels. Please complete a form for each concern/practical problem that you would like the Federation to address. The form can be electronically completed and emailed.

Please send completed forms to the FAHS at admin@history.org.au.

The Federation will consider the submissions, refer to the relevant FAHS constituent if necessary, then inform the constituent and the initiating society of its proposed action. Once the initiating organisation has agreed to this action, the issue will be raised in one or more appropriate forums, identifying the name of each organisation which raised the issue. The Federation will then report the outcome/s direct to the requesting society with a copy to the FAHS constituent.

Destruction of 46,000 year old caves at the Juukan Gorge

On 25 July 2020, the FAHS made this submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia Inquiry into the destruction of 46,000 year old caves at the Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Penalising the study of History

On 1 July 2020 the FAHS sent this letter to the Federal Minister for Education, Dan Tehan, expressing profound concern about the proposed fee structure that penalises the study of the Humanities, and notably the enriching study of History. For Humanities courses, fees will more than double if these changes take effect.

Senate Select Committee on COVID-19

On 27 May 2020, the FAHS made this submission to the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19.

NSW Government's management of Powerhouse and other Museums

On 16 May 2020, the FAHS made this submission to the Inquiry into NSW Government’s management of the Powerhouse Museum and other museums and cultural projects in New South Wales.

Natural Disasters Royal Commission

On 27 April 2020, the FAHS made this submission to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.

Review of the EPBC Act

On 17 April 2020, the FAHS made this submission to the Independent review of the EPBC Act, being undertaken by Professor Graeme Samuel AC.

Inquiry into NSW State Records Act

On 9 Apr 2020, the FAHS made this submission to the Inquiry into NSW State Records Act 1998 and the Policy Paper on its review. The main focus of the inquiry was the proposal to merge two existing bodies – the State Archives and Records Authority and Sydney Living Museums.

A Thematic Study of Defence Fortifications and Installations of Port Jackson and Port Phillip, 2019

In 2018 FAHS was commissioned by the Department of the Environment to prepare two thematic papers for the advice of the Australian Heritage Council, on the possibility of listing a number of nineteenth century fortifications sites on the National Heritage List. This was done during 2018-19, employing a range of authors from across the FAHS networks. This paper focuses on Port Jackson and Port Phillip.

A Thematic Study of the Nineteenth Century Defences, 2019

In 2018 FAHS was commissioned by the Department of the Environment to prepare two thematic papers for the advice of the Australian Heritage Council, on the possibility of listing a number of nineteenth century fortifications sites on the National Heritage List. This was done during 2018-19, employing a range of authors from across the FAHS networks. This paper includes fortification sites across Australia.

National Cultural Policy Discussion Paper, 2011

In 2011 the Federation of Australian Historical Societies submitted this paper to advocate for a National Cultural Policy.  A National Cultural Policy would provide the opportunity to promote history and cultural heritage as central to expressions of Australian cultural identity.