Page 1776 - Week 06 - Thursday, 30 July 2020
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Finally, there are some technical amendments to the way the electoral roll is managed under the Electoral Act 1992, as it relates to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body election process. I hope that when the next Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body election takes place we see a seamless process from an administrative point of view. Perhaps we will also see increased participation and voting from the community.
In reviewing this legislation it was great that the office of Minister Stephen-Smith and the team at the Community Services Directorate were very open to providing briefs and answering questions. I was also pleased that the current Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, Ms Katrina Fanning, was able to discuss these changes and confirm the elected body’s position, as well as the views of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
It is always nice to see legislation and process here at the Assembly flow in such a manner. If other areas of Indigenous affairs policies could have the same approach, I am sure we would see much better outcomes for our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Finally, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the federal coalition government and Minister Ken Wyatt in particular for his efforts in progressing a new national agreement on closing the gap. This work has been incredibly important, and it has been done, as it should be, in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. I look forward to reviewing this agreement in more detail. Having worked closely with Minister Wyatt in developing the Canberra Liberals’ own Indigenous affairs policies, I feel confident that our own initiatives will align well with achieving the new national targets and getting the best possible outcomes for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (4.28): I rise today to speak in support of the amendments outlined in this bill. The ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body is unique in this country. It gives a democratically elected voice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members that ensures that there is direct communication to government on their behalf. Importantly, this voice is informed by and for first nations people with firsthand experience of the impacts of colonisation and the impacts of racism. The benefits of their lived experience cannot be underestimated, for it is through these experiences and through listening to others in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community that the most informed advice can be developed and given to government.
Members of the elected body are respected in their community and, more importantly, they are trusted to listen to and represent the issues and concerns brought forward. The provision of this advice is something that the ACT government truly values. These amendments further strengthen the formal role that the elected body provides.
The added provision for the elected body to participate at a national level as a member of the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations ensures that first nations voices from a local level are heard in national discourse and debate.
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