Page 827 - Week 02 - Thursday, 12 February 2009
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• Works-in-progress: stage one refurbishments, completed early 2008 – $935,000 inclusive of GST; and stage two refurbishments, due for completion July 2009 – budgeted figure $660,000 inclusive of GST.
(7) The ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body was formed under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) Act 2008. The purpose of the Elected Body is to ensure maximum representation and participation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in the ACT in the formulation, coordination and implementation of government policies that affect them. Under the Act the Elected Body is to represent and advocate for Indigenous interests through research, community consultation, program proposals, monitoring and reporting on government programs, and providing advice to the Minister. The Elected Body must, in exercising its functions, meet at least six times per year, consult with, and consider the views of, the United Ngunnawal Elders Council and conduct community forums.
• Structure – the Elected Body has seven members
• Cost – for the 2008 09 financial year, was allocated $300,000 for the operation of the Elected Body, including payment of secretariat salaries.
The purpose of The United Ngunnawal Elders Council (UNEC) is to provide advice to the ACT Government in relation to culture, heritage and ‘connection to land’ matters on behalf of the Ngunnawal people. It must also provide advice to the Elected Body in accordance with sections 8(j) and 9 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) Act 2008.
• Structure – UNEC comprises representatives of each of the 12 Ngunnawal family groups.
• Cost – for the 2008 09 financial year, $25,000 was allocated to support UNEC meetings and other associated activities.
(a) As representative and consultative bodies the Elected Body and UNEC were created to effectively voice the concerns and promote the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in the ACT. While they provide advice, and in the case of the Elected Body, may propose measures, and must report on government program effectiveness, these bodies neither introduce nor manage programs.
The ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body
The newly elected members have begun to organise around their roles and responsibilities. Consultations are well under way with several ACT and Commonwealth government agencies, educational institutions and community organisations. Members are part of the Aboriginal Justice Agreement working group, and the ACT Indigenous Education Advisory Board selection panel as well as attending various forums that involve Indigenous issues. The first community consultation is scheduled for March 2009.
United Ngunnawal Elders Council
Through extensive consultation and engagement with ACT, NSW and Commonwealth government agencies and non-government organisations UNEC contributes significantly to decision making in matters of cultural heritage preservation, water and other natural resource management, public artworks, memorials, and street naming throughout the ACT. As a result practical initiatives such as ‘Welcome to Country’ signage and ceremonies are now commonplace in the ACT.
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