A person who ¾

(a) excavates, destroys, damages, conceals or in any way alters any Aboriginal site; or

(b) in any way alters, damages, removes, destroys, conceals, or who deals with in a manner not sanctioned by relevant custom, or assumes the possession, custody or control of, any object on or under an Aboriginal site,

commits an offence unless he is acting with the authorization of the Registrar under section 16 or the consent of the Minister under section 18.

[Section 17 inserted by No. 8 of 1980 s.6; amended by No. 24 of 1995 s.18.]