History of Indigenous Australian self-determination
The history of Indigenous Australian self-determination covers various attempts by Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders to govern autonomously since colonization, both within and outside the structures of the Government of Australia.
National Aboriginal Consultative Committee
The National Aboriginal Consultative Committee (NACC) was the first elected body representing Indigenous Australians on the national level, having been established by the Whitlam Government in 1972.[1] It was composed of 36 representatives elected by Aboriginal people in 36 regions of Australia.[1] In 1983, the elections reached a turnout of approximately 78%.[2] However, the organisation was marred by friction with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, while internally lacking coherence.[3]
National Aboriginal Conference
Following a review in 1976, the NACC was abolished by the new Fraser Government in 1977.[3] To replace it, the National Aboriginal Conference (NAC) was founded.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
Following the election of the Hawke Government in 1983, two reports were commissioned into a replacement of the NAC. The O'Donoghue report argued that the NAC did not effectively represent its constituents or advocate specific policies.[2] The Coombs report made the case for an organisation with representation of regions and existing indigenous organisations.[2]
To respond to these recommendations, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission was founded in 1989.
Following allegations of corruption, it was abolished by the Howard Government in 2004.[4]
Aboriginal Provisional Government
The Aboriginal Provisional Government has campaogned for Aboriginal sovereignty in Australia, and is headed by an Elders Council.[2] It also issues Aboriginal passports.
Uluru Statement
The Uluru Statement from the Heart was a call for a 'First Nations Voice' and a 'Makarrata Commission' to drive 'agreement-making' and 'truth-telling, made by a First Nations National Constituional Convention in 2017.[5]
References
- ^ a b Spirits, Jens Korff, Creative (2019-07-08). "Aboriginal representative bodies". Creative Spirits. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d "Building a sustainable National Indigenous Representative Body – Issues for consideration: Issues Paper 2008 | Australian Human Rights Commission". www.humanrights.gov.au. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
- ^ a b "Building a sustainable National Indigenous Representative Body – Issues for consideration: Issues Paper 2008 | Australian Human Rights Commission". www.humanrights.gov.au. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
- ^ Pia Akerman (22 October 2009). "We should have kept ATSIC: Lowitja O'Donoghue". The Australian. News Limited. Retrieved 18 January 2012.
- ^ Commonwealth Parliament, Canberra. "Uluru Statement: a quick guide". www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
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