Skip to main content

Adelaide Workshop Summary Report (March 2009)

Adelaide Workshop Summary Report (March 2009)

National Indigenous Representative Body Workshop

11-13 March 2009

Stamford Glenelg,
Adelaide

 

National Indigenous Representative Body Workshop participants


Note – Use of the terms ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander
peoples’ and ‘Indigenous peoples’

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
recognises the diversity of the cultures, languages, kinship structures and ways
of life of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. There is not one
cultural model that fits all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples retain distinct cultural
identities whether they live in urban, regional or remote areas of
Australia.

Throughout this issues paper, Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders are
referred to as ‘peoples’. This recognises that Aboriginals and
Torres Strait Islanders have a collective, rather than purely individual,
dimension to their livelihoods.

On occasion, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are also referred
to as ‘Indigenous peoples’. The use of the term
‘Indigenous’ has evolved through international law. It acknowledges
a particular relationship of aboriginal people to the territory from which they
originate. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has explained
the basis for recognising this relationship as follows:

Indigenous or Aboriginal peoples are so-called because they were living on
their lands before settlers came from elsewhere; they are the descendants
– according to one definition – of those who inhabited a country or
a geographical region at the time when people of different cultures or ethnic
origins arrived, the new arrivals later becoming dominant through conquest,
occupation, settlement or other means... (I)ndigenous peoples have retained
social, cultural, economic and political characteristics which are clearly
distinct from those of the other segments of the national populations.

Throughout human history, whenever dominant neighbouring peoples have
expanded their territories or settlers from far away have acquired new lands by
force, the cultures and livelihoods – even the existence – of
indigenous peoples have been endangered.

The threats to indigenous peoples’ cultures and lands, to their status
and other legal rights as distinct groups and as citizens, do not always take
the same forms as in previous times. Although some groups have been relatively
successful, in most part of the world indigenous peoples are actively seeking
recognition of their identities and ways of
life.[1]

The Social Justice Commissioner acknowledges that there are differing usages
of the terms ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’,
‘Aboriginal’ and ‘indigenous’ within government policies
and documents. When referring to a government document or policy, we have
maintained the government’s language to ensure consistency.


Summary
of workshop outcomes

Background

In December 2008, the Australian Government requested the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner to convene an independent,
Steering Committee of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to develop a
preferred model for a national representative body for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples.

The Steering Committee is required to:

  • develop a preferred model for a new national Indigenous representative body
    for presentation to the Australian Government in July 2009;
  • make recommendations in regards to the establishment of an interim body from
    July 2009 which would operate until the finalised body takes effect; and
  • ensure strong community support for such a representative model.

This work follows on from the consultations and submissions process
conducted by the Government in 2008.

In January 2009, the Social Justice Commissioner invited Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander men and women to nominate to attend a national workshop
to guide the development of a new national Indigenous representative body. The
workshop was set for 11-13 March 2009 in Adelaide. The purpose of the workshop
was to:

  1. review submissions and the outcomes of consultations conducted by the
    Government to date on the establishment of a new representative body,
  2. identify the key elements or features of a new National Indigenous
    representative body which can then be distilled down to a series of preferred
    models for a new representative body, and
  3. identify a process for further consultation with Indigenous
    communities leading to the establishment of an interim representative body from
    July / August 2009.

The workshop was NOT intended to:

  • endorse a final model for a national representative body or
  • decide membership of a national representative body.

Through the plenary sessions, smaller working groups and an
electronic survey conducted at the workshop, it was possible to identify those
issues on which there was an emerging consensus among participants and those
issues where there remained divergent views or at least, a need for further
consultation. These are identified further below.

Terminology

At the outset of the workshop, it was acknowledged that there is a growing
debate about the appropriate terminology to be used when referring to Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples. While accepting the international context
for the term ‘indigenous’, participants in the workshop expressed a
strong preference for the phrase ’Indigenous peoples’ not to
be the primary descriptor used in the domestic Australian context. Preferences
were voiced for the following terminology:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
  • First nations or First peoples.

A majority of participants expressed their preference for the
phrase ‘First nations’ or ‘First peoples’.

A 20 year vision for the national representative body

Workshop participants expressed the desire for a national representative body
to contribute to generational change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples. Participants did not want, twenty years from now, for their children
and grandchildren to be in the position where they needed to have the same
discussions taking place at this workshop.

Participants identified that over the next 20 years, the national
representative body would have a leading role to play in achieving
constitutional recognition and a treaty, in closing the gap, and in Australia as
a country owning and facing up to its history. The representative body would
have contributed to a situation where our children are empowered, we are in
control of our own destiny, are culturally strong and proud, economically
independent and where the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community/ies
are united and not wracked by internal division.

Participants described their vision for the representative body as follows.
In 20 years time, there is reciprocal respect between the representative body
and tribal nations. The national representative body:

  • is functioning effectively and efficiently;
  • is self-sufficient and self-determining;
  • is independently funded and free from government control or
    interference;
  • is an organization that embodies the principles of self-determination and
    human rights at every level;
  • has credibility and integrity in both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
    and non-Indigenous communities and government;
  • is standing on its own feet;
  • is truly representative of the diverse makeup of Aboriginal and Torres
    Strait Islander populations – gender, rural/ regional/ remote, youth;
  • utilizes and shares the diverse skill sets and expertise of our peoples;
  • has a role in development of policy for service delivery in a truly
    influential way;
  • is seen as a peak public body working at best standards for a public
    representative body;
  • provides pathways for education, employment and professional development of
    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
  • is accessible to grassroots people; and
  • is holding Government accountable for their obligations to Aboriginal and
    Torres Strait Islander peoples as citizens.

Guiding principles for a new representative body

There was agreement among the workshop participants on the importance of the
national representative body pursuing the following objectives:

  • playing a leading role in forging a new partnership between Governments and
    Indigenous peoples;
  • ensuring Indigenous peoples contribute to and lead policy development on
    Indigenous issues;
  • ensure that an Indigenous perspective is provided on issues across
    government;
  • advocate for the recognition and protection of Indigenous peoples’
    rights;
  • ensure adequate accountability mechanisms exist for government’s
    performance in delivering services to Indigenous peoples and communities;
  • ensure that commitments to closing the gap are supported by long term action
    plans;
  • ensure and support good governance among Indigenous communities and
    organisations;
  • ensure the equal participation of Indigenous women in all of its decision
    making processes; and
  • ensure the equal participation of mainland Torres Strait Islanders.

There was also common agreement on the need for the national
representative body to operate in accordance with the highest standards of
ethical and moral conduct and to be open, transparent and accountable to
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The adapted Nolan principles on public life (see below) were seen as setting
out behavioural expectations for members of the national representative
body.


Nolan Committee principles on public life

These principles relate to all aspects of public life. They were created by
the Nolan Committee for the benefit the public in any
way.[2]  These principles will
apply to all who are employed by the national Indigenous representative
body.


Eight Principles of Public Life

Selflessness

Holders of public office should take decisions
solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain
financial or other material benefit for themselves, their family, or their
friends.

Integrity

Holders of public office should not try to place
themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or
organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official
duties.

Objectivity

In carrying out public business, including making
appointments, awarding contracts or recommending individuals for rewards or
benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable for their
decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever
scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

Openness

Holders of public office should be as open as possible
about all the decisions and actions that they take. The holders of public office
should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the
wider public interest clearly demands.

Honesty

Holders of public office have a duty to declare any
private interests relating to their public duties and take steps to resolve any
conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

Leadership

Holders of public office should promote and support
these principles by leadership and example.

Behaviour

Holders of public office must exhibit at all times the
exemplary levels of personal and corporate behaviour.




The following key guiding principles were also identified for the national
representative body:

  • Accountability: to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and
    also of government to the national representative body. This involves
    transparency in operations and through effective communication /
    dissemination of information with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
    peoples;
  • Authority: This will come from representativeness of the body, and
    also from development of a strong evidence base;
  • Legitimacy: This will come from reflecting the diversity within
    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – including issues
    relating to disability, mainland Torres Strait Islanders, geographic and
    cultural differences. It will also emerge from the body being representative and
    through advocating for the most vulnerable;
  • Partnership: with both government and industry as well as with
    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, peak bodies and
    communities; and
  • Respect: for culture and for the cultural diversity within Aboriginal
    and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The importance of recognising and protecting Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples’ human rights was also emphasised. The UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
was identified as providing
the framework for engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Groups commonly raised the need for gender equality in representation.

Social inclusion was also highlighted as a key principle with the
representative body playing a vital role in the education of the broader
Australian community and working for the benefit of all Australians towards
Reconciliation.

Roles and functions of a national representative body

There was common agreement among the workshop participants on the importance
of the national representative body having the following roles and
functions:

  • advocacy;
  • formulating policy and advising government;
  • reviewing government programs;
  • negotiating framework agreements with governments;
  • monitoring service delivery by governments;
  • conducting research and contributing to law reform processes; and
  • representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at the
    international level.

The majority of workshop participants also agreed that the national
representative body should have the following roles and functions:

  • a coordination or ‘clearing house’ role to promote the sharing
    of information between Indigenous representative organisations and service
    delivery organisations; and
  • conducting facilitation and mediation services for Indigenous peoples.

Participants rated the following roles as the most important for a
national representative body to undertake:

  • advocacy;
  • monitoring government service delivery;
  • formulating policy and advice;
  • negotiating framework agreements with governments; and
  • reviewing government programs.

It was also noted that the representative body:

  • could work with the federal government in planning expenditure of state /
    territory funds for Indigenous affairs;
  • could be advised by peak bodies, and they could in turn be advised by the
    representative body;
  • should be able to commission new research, informed by Indigenous knowledge
    systems and research methods, and should set the vision based on the desires,
    needs, priorities and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
    peoples; and
  • should take a lead role in promoting a positive image of Aboriginal and
    Torres Strait Islander communities.

In relation to service delivery, it was commonly agreed that:

  • the representative body should not deliver services or
    programs;
  • it should set priorities for service delivery in consultation with
    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and state / territory
    level representatives;
  • it should have a mandate to set targets to hold governments accountable;
    and
  • it could work with existing monitoring processes, as well as receive
    independent field reports from regional members or bodies.

Engaging with communities / representativeness

A majority of participants believed that the national representative body
should have structures at the national, state / territory and regional levels to
engage with Indigenous peoples.

A great majority of participants also agreed that it is essential for the
national representative body to have a direct relationship with regions and a
majority agreed that the organisation’s national membership should be
drawn from the regional level. While there was support for the organisation to
have a state / territory structure it was notably less than the support for a
regional structure. There was however strong support for the national
representative body to bring regional representatives together at the state /
territory level.

There was strongest support for the national representative body to engage
directly at a regional level. The overwhelming majority of participants believed
that:

  • The national representative body should include regional representative
    structures; and
  • Should convene regional forums on a regular basis.

A substantial majority of participants also believed that the
national representative body should:

  • enter into partnerships with governments at the regional level;
  • conduct regional planning or negotiate regional framework agreements;
    and
  • draw its national membership from the regional level.

A substantial majority of participants also believed that the
national representative body should:

  • bring regional representatives together at the state / territory level;
    and
  • convene state-wide planning forums.

The majority of participants also believed that the national
representative body should:

  • have a state / territory level structure; and
  • negotiate state-wide framework agreements with government.

There was strong support for the representative body to form
strategic alliances with peak bodies and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
agencies and businesses. There was also support for non-Indigenous organisations
and NGOs to provide advice to the representative body on invitation.

Structure of the national representative body

There was strong support for the national representative body to be made up
of an equal number of men and women, and for members to have integrity, vision
and credibility, and to be required to adhere to a code of conduct.

There was also a strong view that members of the national representative body
should not be appointed by government.

There was, however, not a clearly preferred mechanism for members of the
representative body to be selected. There was mixed support for a direct
election model and alternatively for a delegate model. The majority of
participants, however, did not support peak bodies being able to directly
nominate representatives onto the national body.

The direct election model posed a dilemma as many participants felt that a
democratic process should be used, but that it did not always result in the most
qualified or suitable applicants being selected. Many participants preferred a
system that combined election with a merit selection process, so that applicants
were assessed as possessing the necessary skills prior to the election being
conducted. If an election model is used, participants generally preferred that
each state and territory should be given the opportunity to work out a system
that will work for them (and their regions) as a one size fits all approach may
not work.

There was mixed support for the idea of eminent Indigenous leaders selecting
representatives. Such a process would require an open, competitive and
transparent process.

Relationship to government and funding mechanisms

There was also support for the representative body to be established under
legislation and to report directly to Parliament – such as through a
statutory authority model. Similarly, there was support for the body to be a
non-government organisation such as through being a company limited by
guarantee. Participants were concerned to ensure that the body be sustainable
and have longevity beyond the political cycle.

Participants strongly expressed a view that while government funding would be
required for the establishment period of the national representative body it
needs to be able to operate independent from government. The idea of an
establishment fund to provide a capital base for the organisation received
strong support. Additionally there was a preference for the national Indigenous
representative body to identify funds nationally and internationally from the
philanthropic and corporate sector and that government funding should be used
for a defined establishment period.

A substantial majority of participants rated the following funding options as
important:

  • have a fund established to give the body a capital base (like the Indigenous
    Land Corporation);
  • receive (untied) government funding;
  • be established through a future fund financed through a percentage of mining
    tax receipts; and
  • gain charitable status to receive tax free donations.

Participants also identified the potential for the representative
body to charge membership fees or charge for delivery of goods and services.
However, the majority of participants did not see these options as important in
funding the representative body.

Issues where a consensus has begun to emerge

Major areas of consensus from workshop participants included:

  • Principles guiding the formation of the representative body and behavioural
    standards to be applied to members of the body;
  • The roles and functions of the representative body (including that the
    representative body not undertake a service delivery role);
  • Ensuring the equal participation of men and women as representatives;
  • Ensuring that there are mechanisms in place to ensure the participation of
    groups that are generally marginalised such as young people, people with
    disabilities, members of the stolen generation and mainland Torres Strait
    Islanders;
  • Ensuring that there is representation of the diversity of Aboriginal and
    Torres Strait Islander peoples based on gender, geographical locations,
    relationship to country and cultural diversity;
  • That the representative body be self-determining and that it operate
    independently of government influence (including through how the governance of
    the body is structured, and by receiving untied or discretionary recurrent
    funding);
  • That all representative body members are Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait
    Islanders and there is a clear process to verify identity;
  • Selection of new representative body representatives must be transparent,
    with a selection process determined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
    people and selections based on set criteria that includes identifying the
    specific and appropriate skills required.

Issues requiring further consideration

Issues on which no clear consensus emerged during the workshop included:

  • whether the national representative body should use a delegate or direct
    election model, and the role of merit selection in either model;
  • how a panel of eminent Indigenous peers would operate in any selection
    process (it at all);
  • issues relating to structure of the national representative body and how it
    would engage at the regional and states/territory level; and
  • further details on the qualities and skills required for the national
    representative body leadership. This is to inform the development of selection
    criteria if a merit based selection process is used.

APPENDIX – Workshop
participants

The list of workshop attendees is attached below. Please note, some people
who were initially elected have withdrawn – those people are not listed.

Patron – Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue

Queensland and Torres Straits region

Mr Desmond Tayley

Mr
Gregory Phillips

Mr Todd Phillips

Mr (Lui) Ned David

Mr Alf Lacey

Mr
Stephen Hagan

Mr Reginald Rickardo Guivarra

Mr Percy Neal

Mayor Napau
Pedro Stephen

Mr Victor Hart

Mr Michael Williams

Ms Babinda Lency
Adidi

Miss Victoria Jenkins

Ms Coralie Ober

Mrs Mary Ann Coconut

Ms
Delilah MacGilivray

Mrs Elaine McKeon

Mrs Patricia Thompson

Ms Helen
Akee

NSW

Mr Paul Gray

Mr Troy McGrath

Mr Sean Gordon

Mr Leon
Donovan

Mr William Johnston

Mr Oliver Costello

Mr Leslie Ridgeway

Mr
Tom Briggs

Mr Steve Widders

Mr Aden Ridgeway

Mr Russell Taylor

Miss
Kirsten Cheatham

Ms Megan Davis

Ms Carla McGrath

Miss Renee
Williamson

Ms Tina McGhie

Ms Kim O'Donnell

Ms Kirstie Parker

Ms
Lynette Riley

Ms Shiralee Carroll

Ms Bev Manton

Ms Mary-Lou Buck

Ms
Neita Scott

Mr Rick Griffiths

Australian Capital Territory

Mr Steven Brown

Mr Ron Morony

Mr
Terry Williams

Ms Anne Martin

Mrs Matilda Ann House

Ms Mary Guthrie

Northern Territory

Mr Miritjunga Darren Maymuru

Mr Kim
Hill

Mr Geoffrey Wangapa Jungarrayi Barnes

Mr Barayuwa Mununggurr

Mr
Marius Puruntatameri

Mr Paul Ah Chee

Mr Wali Wunungmurra

Mr Banambi
Wunungmurra

Mr Mialay Dhambarra Wunungmurra

Mr Harold Furber

Ms Barbara
Shaw

Ms Amanda Ngalmi

Ms Ngaree Ah Kit

Ms Djapirri Mununggirritj

Mrs
Marrpalawuy Marika

Mrs Bess Nungarrayi

South Australia

Dr
Lowitja O’Donoghue

Commissioner Klynton Wanganeen

Mr Eddie
Cubillo

Mr Tauto Sansbury

Prof Roger Thomas

Miss Rebecca Grace
Richards

Ms Eugenia Flynn

Miss Diat Alferink

Ms Leanne Maree
Liddle

Ms Sandra Miller

Western Australia

Miss Dorinda Cox

Mrs Loretta Harris

Ms
Glenda Kickett

Mrs Kayleen Hayward

Mrs Jennifer Kniveton (Gregory)

Mrs
Dorothy Henry

Miss Rosetta Maria Sahanna

Mrs Patricia Mason

Assc Prof
Ted Wilkes

Mr Braden Hill

Mr Peter Jeffries

Mr David Collard

Mr
James (Jim) Morrison

Mr Brian Wyatt

Mr Sandy Davies

Tasmania

Mr Anthony King

Victoria

Mr Walter Saunders

Dr Mark Rose

Mr Graham
Atkinson

Ms Lidia Alma Thorpe

Ms Leanne Miller

Ms Judy Saxton

Ms
Jill Gallagher

Miss Lynette Austin

Mrs Muriel Bamblett

Ms Monica
Morgan

Ms Daphne Yarram



[1] United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights, Fact sheet No.9 (Rev.1), The Rights of Indigenous
Peoples, www.unhchr.ch/html/menu6/2/fs9.htm.

[2] http://www.parliament.uk/about/how/members/standards.cfm.