Work

Loopholes in Australian wildlife, cultural heritage, human tissue and biosecurity laws: four case studies

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We provide a novel investigation into where Australian legislation, meant to mitigate commerce in material cultural heritage, wildlife products and human tissue, clash in both their scope and practical application. Through an exploratory analysis of the legal context surrounding three recent Australian auction house sales and a social media post (demonstrating an example of successful import into Australia of human remains posing clear biosecurity risk), we identify legal loopholes through which these categories of trafficking can converge. In reviewing and discussing related cases, and what precedent their verdicts might establish, we also highlight tangential bodies of legislation that could assist future prosecution of import and export violations where environmental, cultural heritage, human tissue or biosecurity laws are found lacking. We highlight future research directions that should be pursued to quantify how cultural heritage, wildlife products and human remains are sought and sold together in Australia and globally.

Source: Crime Law and Social Change

DOI: 10.1007/s10611-026-10322-0

Authors: Damien Huffer, Kellie Toole, Kylie Covark, Jacob Maher, Phillip Cassey

Institutions: Adelaide University, The University of Adelaide

Language: English

Topic: Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses

Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,490