Page 2131 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 2 August 2016
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Of note in the review is that the functions of the act are too wide and need to be focused to a strategic high-level role; that the elected body is becoming too administrative in carrying out its functions and removing functions that do not meet the objectives of the act, such as the elected body having responsibility for the design of possible government programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which is a responsibility of directorates; that communication with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is a key focus of the elected body and that the community forum mechanism embedded in the act is limited and the elected body should develop a wider consultation plan that meets the needs of the community; that governance issues need to be addressed, including developing a code of conduct for elected body members and providing a framework to better manage issues of conflict of interest and protect the reputation of the elected body as the community’s elected representatives; and that there is an inconsistency between the Electoral Act 1992 and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body Act 2008 relating to the election timetable.
The independent review contains 33 recommendations. The government response agrees to two recommendations and agrees subject to outcomes of consultation on the remaining 31 recommendations.
The ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agreement for 2015-18, launched in May 2015, provides the strategic platform committing both the ACT government and the elected body to pursue equitable outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the ACT. The review recommendations will enhance the government’s and elected body’s commitment to delivering on outcomes through the agreement’s key focus of strong families.
Following today’s tabling, the ACT government will commence two rounds of consultation. The first will communicate the outcomes of the review and the government response to the recommendations. A second round in early 2017 will consult widely about proposed amendments to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body Act 2008. Printed copies of the review and the ACT government response to the review recommendations will be provided to those who gave feedback during the review. We will also support the elected body to hold community meetings to inform the community on outcomes of the review.
I look forward to seeing this work progress in the next Assembly.
Papers
Mr Gentleman presented the following papers:
Subordinate legislation (including explanatory statements unless otherwise stated)
Legislation Act, pursuant to section 64—
Agents Act—Agents (Fees) Determination 2016—Disallowable Instrument DI2016-81 (LR, 16 June 2016).
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video