The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body provides First Nations Canberrans with a voice to the ACT Government and has been a key mechanism to support the self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT since 2008.
Since its establishment, the Elected Body has been instrumental in supporting and implementing programs and initiatives in partnership with ACT Government for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Following a procurement process focused on suitably experienced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises, the ACT Government has engaged Ngarra Group to lead the first stage of community consultation on a refreshed operating model for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (the Elected Body).
The role of the Elected Body has evolved since the last review in 2016, including co-designing and oversighting implementation of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028 and representing the ACT on the Coalition of Peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Organisations and the Joint Council on Closing the Gap.
Ngarra Group will engage with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to capture the views of the local ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community on what they would value in a contemporary Elected Body model.
Views expressed through this consultation will be reflected in a Listening Report that will inform further stages of the review and any necessary legislative changes.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Rachel Stephen-Smith said that after 16 years of operation, it was time look at the role and operation of the Elected Body to ensure it delivers on the needs, priorities and aspirations of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community into the future.
"We've had the benefit of the Elected Body working with the ACT Government and holding us to account for the last 16 years. In that time, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the ACT has grown and changed," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"Last year, the ACT was the only jurisdiction to vote Yes to a national Voice to Parliament. The extensive work done to support the referendum – including the development of principles for regional bodies – provides a useful evidence base for this review.
"But the most important thing is hearing from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans about what will work for them and how they want to be represented through their voice to the ACT Government and Legislative Assembly.
"This consultation will ensure that the Elected Body continues to connect community to government in the best way for future generations. This work gives us the opportunity to redesign something for Community with Community."
Ngarra Group is led by principal Craig Ritchie, an Aboriginal man of the Dhunghutti and Biripi nations.
Mr Ritchie is an independent advisor and researcher and has worked in several key roles across Government and the community sector, including as the CEO of the peak advocacy body for Aboriginal community-controlled health services.
"Mr Ritchie and the Ngarra Group have the experience, local knowledge and links to the community to ensure that everyone who wants to have a say on the Elected Body has an opportunity to do so," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
The Elected Body was established under the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body Act 2008 to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT have a strong, democratically elected voice that can advocate on the needs and aspirations of the community.
