First National Congress meeting: June 2011

Congress Nominations re-open

The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples has opened nominations to elect for the first time its Co-Chairs who will lead the organisation over the next two years.

Nominations have opened for Congress members to nominate as Co-Chair and as one of the 120 delegates to the first national forum in Sydney in June 2011.

The current Co-Chairs Kerry Arabena and Sam Jeffries encouraged the community to become members and nominate.

“It has been a great honour for the current Directors to help establish the Congress,” said Dr Arabena.

“The success of the Congress and the calibre of our delegates and Board can only be as good as our membership.

“To have a direct say and the chance to stand for election, you must be a member of the Congress.

“Our membership is always open but if you want to stand as one of the Co-Chairs or be a delegate you must apply for membership and nominate before February 11th 2011. “Membership is still free, so sign up today,” said Dr Arabena.

Mr Jeffries said he was proud of the enormous amount of work that had been achieved to bring the Congress to this point.

“We already have a very healthy and strong membership base which will deliver a good cross section of candidates.

“When you combine our individual members and organisations, we will already represent thousands of Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander people.

“The work of the first Congress meeting is one of the most important priorities for the Congress.

“The delegates and the newly elected National Board of Directors will chart a course and set our agenda for the next two years.

“We know there are many accomplished and emerging leaders in our communities, it is now time to stand for election and build on the good work already underway,”said Mr Jeffries.

Information packs are available from the website www.nationalcongress.com.au

First National Congress meeting: June 2011

Dear Members

Applications are now open for Delegates to the first annual meeting of the

National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples Ltd (National Congress).

Applications are also open to stand for election as one of the two Co-Chairs (one male & one female).

The first full meeting of the National Congress will take place in Sydney, NSW, from 07 to 09 June 2011.

Information and forms can be downloaded from our website www.nationalcongress.com.au

By being a delegate to the National Congress, you will have the opportunity to participate in the development of a national policy agenda for Indigenous issues and be part of a new and exciting organisation that will advocate on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the country.

After nominating, a vetting process will take place that includes a National Police Check and a fitness to hold office test by the Ethics Council.

All successful Delegates will be advised of their participation in April next year. There are different info packs for each of the positions open for nomination:

Chambers 1 & 2 (Organisations),

Chamber 3 (Individuals) and one for standing for Co-Chair.

Inside the packs you will find:

• A nomination form

• Membership forms

• A National Police Check Application form (the Congress pays the fee and submits the form)

• A Declaration of fitness to hold office form

• A Policy document outlining the roles and responsibilities for each of the positions

You need to complete and submit all forms by close of business on 11th February 2011. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted.

You also need two referees to endorse your nomination.

If you have any questions please email: nominations@nationalcongress.com.au

Above: Dr Kerry Arabena, Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue and Sam Saffries at the Adelaide information meeting of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples.

Aboriginal Lands Trust review

A consultation paper on the review of the Aboriginal Lands Trust Act 1966 has been released by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Grace Portolesi.

The review of the act is already underway and the consultation paper brings together the initial round of public consultation and sets out the vision for a modern and reinvigorated Aboriginal Lands Trust.

“The review of the Aboriginal Lands Trust Act is an important step towards a stronger, independent, effective Aboriginal Lands Trust,” Ms Portolesi said.

“It is important for all voices to be heard in every step of this review process and the release of this consultation paper is part of our commitment to ensuring this occurs. “There will be a variety of public meetings in regional and metropolitan communities and I encourage all interested people to make submissions or attend the consultation meetings.” The review was implemented to ensure the Aboriginal Lands Trust reflects the aspirations of Aboriginal people around self-determination and independence. “This review will allow the Aboriginal Lands Trust to move towards a more strategic role in assisting Aboriginal people to manage lands and strengthen its governance structures,” Ms Portolesi said.

The public consultation period ends on January 31, 2011.

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ISSUE 43