Summit Discusses statewide representation
By NSW Dept of Aboriginal Affairs
The Department played a key role in facilitating a summit organised to ensure Aboriginal representation in the policy process following the abolition of the ATSIC regional councils in June 2005. Titled Our Future Our Voice, the summit was convened by NSW peak bodies and held over 27-29 September 2004.
Summit facilitator Sol Bellear, Chair of the Aboriginal Medical Centre, Redfern, said the summit discussed the future of Aboriginal leadership.
"With the national office of ATSIC gone and the ATSIC regional councils to go, Aboriginal people are concerned about the possible lack of Aboriginal representation", Mr Bellear said.
"We cannot go back to the days when governments decided what was best for Aboriginal people, with no consultation."
Three hundred grass roots leaders and community members from across NSW attended the summit which highlighted the importance of working together on an effective framework for representation.
Some of the elements participants identified as necessary in a replacement structure include:
As agreed at the summit, the outcomes will form the basis for further work at local and regional levels to develop options which will give Aboriginal people a voice in dealings with both the NSW and Australian governments. It was also agreed that the peak bodies would lead the consultations and that ATSIC would be involved.
Another summit is planned prior to June 2005 to bring together information coming out of local and regional consultations and finalise a NSW position.
