WA indigenous bill raises concerns

Concerns have been raised in the WA parliament about proposed amendments to the state's Aboriginal heritage legislation.

Controversial changes to Western Australia's Aboriginal heritage legislation have divided the government, with some MPs warning they won't support the bill in its current form.

A motion to restore the bill to the notice paper passed in parliament on Thursday after it stagnated for more than a year without debate.

Liberal MP Rob Johnson says he won't support the bill in its current form and the government should consider withdrawing it, while National MP Brendon Grylls plans to move amendments to the legislation.

"I believe that if the government had any integrity, it would simply then withdraw the legislation and come back with what is necessary, come back with what the Labor Party wants, what the National Party wants and what any reasonable, decent, thinking person would want for Aboriginal people in this state," Mr Johnson said.

Meanwhile, Labor's Ben Wyatt called for more consultation with indigenous communities before progressing further, saying the proposed changes would hand the Department of Aboriginal Affairs chief executive complete control in determining the value of heritage sites.

"The CEO can make that decision, if this legislation passes, without speaking to one Aboriginal person," Mr Wyatt said.