Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt has urged the senior advisory group co-designing an Indigenous Voice to Government to take hold of the "moment in time" before them to change the lives of Indigenous Australians.
The minister led the first meeting of the consultation body made up of 19 people at Old Parliament in Canberra on Wednesday.
The senior advisory group is seeking to shape a framework towards developing options for an Indigenous voice to all levels of government.
The senior advisory group co-designing the Indigenous Voice to government has meet for the first time. Source: SBS News
But his actions have earned some backlash for already taking enshrining the voice in the constitution off the table.
Mr Wyatt called on the leadership group to embrace their opportunity to “enact meaningful” and “long-lasting change” for Indigenous Australians and the entire nation.
Ken Wyatt has called on the Indigenous Voice to Government to enact meaningful and lasting change. Source: SBS News
“All of us have been around for a long time – we have seen communities grow but we’ve seen them struggle,” he said.
“We talk about community control – but I don’t see it on the ground.
“The bottom line is for the elder in the community, the child ... the family – that’s where we have to make the difference.”
Indigenous academics professor Tom Calma and Marcia Langton have been named co-chairs of the senior advisory body 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
Co-chair Professor Tom Calma. Source: SBS News
Mr Wyatt recognised community disappointment among those who say the only meaningful form of recognition is through a constitutionally enshrined voice, as called for in the Uluru Statement to the Heart.
“I acknowledge and respect the fact that many of you will not reconcile from that view – I’m not here to change that mind of thinking,” he said.
“But we’re here to deliver outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
“What I do ask though, is that we remain pragmatic throughout this process and focus on what can be achieved.”
Those on the senior advisory body include Former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda and Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar.
Co-chair Professor Marcia Langton. Source: BENT3LAND PRODUCTIONS
Lawyer and activist Noel Pearson, following on from his role in the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians and the Referendum Council, is also on the body.
Chairman of the Anindilyakwa Land Council Tony Wurramarrba, CEO of National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation CEO Pat Turner and the first Indigenous netballer Marcia Ella-Duncan, along with members from remote communities include Eastern Arnhem Land leader, Dr Galarrwuy Yunupingu AM and Yawuru man from Broome, Peter Yu.
Another member is 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.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt. Source: SBS News
Sky News political commentator, Chris Kenny was also appointed to the committee.
Mr Wyatt said the co-design process must ensure all Indigenous Australians are heard.
“We do have an important moment in time in which we can make an incredible difference if we so choose," he said.
