Christian Kerr | August 27, 2009
A 128-seat national congress that would eventually be privately funded would represent Aborigines under a proposal by Aboriginal Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma.
Mr Calma said an eight-member executive would run the new national body and, in the wake of the allegations of criminal activity that dogged ATSIC, an ethics council would ensure its members are all “fit and proper persons”.
Mr Calma told the National Press Club today the first congress should be convened by the end of next year.
“We have suffered from the absence of a strong national representative organisation over the past five years,” he said.
“As a result as a nation we have lacked the most fundamental of requirements for a reconciled nation – a robust genuine partnership between government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
The body, which has yet to be named, will be independent from government and operate as a registered company, Mr Calma said.
He expects the commonwealth to contribute $5 million in seed funding but says after five years it will rely less and less on government funds.
Instead, it will draw on a $200 million investment fund to be established over 10 years from all sources, including corporate donations and charitable donations.
“It is envisaged in 10 years the national representative body will be an organisation that is self sufficient, self determining and truly independent of government,” Mr Calma said.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said Mr Calma and his steering committee aimed to create a body that would build a clear vision for a positive future for indigenous Australians, through research, policy development and advocacy.
“The proposed model sets a high benchmark for strong, responsible and strategic leadership,” Ms Macklin said.
“It supports gender equality, youth leadership and upholding the highest ethical principles for public office holders.”
Ms Macklin called the establishment of a new national representative body for Aborigines “an important election commitment for the government”.
“The Government has always been clear that we will not replicate the failed policies of the past and the new body will not be another ATSIC,” she said.
“The new national representative body must be transparent, accountable and effective.”