National Recognition of Aboriginal Community Controlled Councils
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MEDIA RELEASE
National Recognition of Aboriginal Community Controlled Councils
Tuesday 22 June 2021
Djuwalpi Marika, Deputy President of East Arnhem Regional Council, has hailed the unanimous endorsement by the Australian Local Government Association of a motion put forward by his council, to support the recognition of Aboriginal controlled councils.
The National General Assembly of Local Government Councils provided unanimous support, to ensure collaboration of all levels of government, including partnerships and with policy development and implementation responsible for issues affecting Indigenous Australians, by calling on the Federal, State and Territory Governments to commit to nationally consistent recognition of Indigenous Local Government Councils as Aboriginal controlled entities across Australia.
Indigenous Local Government Councils are those councils with majority representation of Indigenous Australians of both Elected Officials and its constituency.
The motion aligns with and further strengthens the recognition of Local Government in the Closing the Gap National Partnership Agreement, that was revised and updated in June 2020.
The Closing the Gap agreement is a significant milestone in the recognition of Local Government as a partner in the achievement of outcomes to address entrenched inequality faced by too many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people so that their life outcomes are equal to all Australians.
Moving forward, it is important that the voices of Indigenous Councils and their people are heard loud and clear and that their knowledge and experiences underpin the development of effective policy and advocacy.
Deputy President Djuwalpi Marika stated “Council is the arm of the people of East Arnhem Land. We are working to bring empowerment to our Yolngu and Anindilyakwa Yolngu of East Arnhem Land, and look forward to working more with the two ‘Balanda’ western levels of government.”
For comment contact Dale Keehne, Chief Executive Officer, East Arnhem Regional Council, 0458 039 348.