The Minister for Indigenous Australians has announced a list of twenty names that will become members of the Senior Advisory Group that will charged with tasked with guiding the Co-Design process towards developing options for an Indigenous voice to government.
The list includes Uluru Statement from the Heart Advocate, Noel Pearson, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) CEO, Pat Turner, and the first international Indigenous netballer, Marcia Ella-Duncan.
Last week, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, announced he would be creating an elite committee that would oversee a co-design process to work towards realising an Indigenous voice to government.
The top committee will be responsible for developing two lower consultation groups at a local and regional, and national level to assist in putting forward models for consideration.
Indigenous Academics Professor Tom Calma and Professor Marcia Langton have been named co-chairs of the Senior Advisory Group and will oversee a committee made up of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Members include:
- Professor Tom Calma AO
- Professor Dr Marcia Langton AM
- Professor Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO
- Professor Peter Buckskin PSM
- Ms Josephine Cashman
- Ms Marcia Ella-Duncan OAM
- Ms Joanne Farrell
- Mr Mick Gooda
- Mr Chris Kenny
- Cr Vonda Malone
- Ms June Oscar AO
- Ms Alison Page
- Mr Noel Pearson
- Mr Benson Saulo
- Ms Pat Turner AM
- Professor Maggie Walter
- Mr Tony Wurramarrba
- Mr Peter Yu
- Dr Galarrwuy Yunupingu AM
Ken Wyatt has appointed a senior advisory body for a voice for Indigenous Australians to government. Source: AAP
As the group prepares to kick off 12 months of consultations, there are some notable inclusions and absences.
Many prominent Indigenous Rights advocates are wary of the co-design process, saying the only meaningful form of recognition is through a constitutionally enshrined advisory body, truth-telling process and Makarratta commission, as called for in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Lawyer and activist, Noel Pearson, has been selected for the group, following on from his role in the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians and the Referendum Council.
He is one of numerous former panel members to be part of the next consultation process.
Other prominent names in the recognition conversation however have been left out, including Professor Megan Davis, a former member of the Referendum Council, and Thomas Mayor, a vocal advocate of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Minister Wyatt has previously described outspoken advocates of the Uluru Statement as 'influencers', and claimed he preferred to listen to "grassroots" Indigenous voices.
His list includes representatives from across the country.
“The best outcomes are achieved when Indigenous Australians are at the centre of decision-making. We know that for too long decision making treated the symptoms rather than the cause,” Mr Wyatt said in a statement on Friday.
Former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda and current Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar are also part of the group.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar, joins the Senior Advisory Body for a voice to government. Source: AAP
Representing the next generation will be Benson Saulo, the first Indigenous person to be appointed to the Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations and 2014 NAIDOC Youth of the Year.
CEO of National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), Pat Turner AM will be instrumental in the discussions and has previously said the long-term solution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination requires a strong commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Sky News political commentator, Chris Kenny was also appointed to the committee.
Members from remote communities include Eastern Arnhem Land leader, Dr Galarrwuy Yunupingu AM and Yawuru man from Broome, Peter Yu.
Mr Wyatt said the group will ensure that all Indigenous people are heard.
"It will be a historic occasion that will mark a shift in the way government and Indigenous Australians work in partnership to shift the pendulum and advance positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” he said.
