New Elected Body welcomed by Minister
The election results for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) were declared today by the ACT Electoral Commission.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Rachel Stephen-Smith has welcomed the new members and emphasised the ACT Government’s commitment to supporting and strengthening the Elected Body.
‘I would like to congratulate Maurice Walker, Billy T Tompkins, Deanne Booth, Helen Wright, Kaylene McLeod, Vicky Bradley, and Bradley Bell on being elected,’ the Minister said.
“I express my gratitude and thanks to Tanya Keed, the outgoing chair of the Elected Body and Paula McGrady, the outgoing deputy chair of the Elected Body for their work, in a difficult couple of years,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
‘The Elected Body is a critical partner with the ACT Government, working with us and holding us to account for delivering outcomes that will improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT.
‘In February this year, we announced an investment of $1.23 million in 2024 and 2025 to increase the capacity, independence and long-term sustainability of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body.
‘A key part of this is the commissioning of an independent listening report, lifting the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about what the future of the Elected Body looks like so that it best represents the rights, views and aspirations of the community,’ said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The Elected Body will also receive Secretariat support, to ensure it can operate independently of government, consistent with the principle of self-determination which underpins the ACT Government’s approaches to improving outcomes for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
‘This term of the Elected Body is critical for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and the ACT Government to meet commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and how we work together to deliver on the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement.’
The ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body was established under the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body Act 2008 to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT have a strong, democratically elected voice that can advocate on the needs and aspirations of the community.
‘I look forward to working with the new Elected Body to ensure the ACT is able to facilitate the best possible outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT, and under the Closing the Gap Agreement.’ said Minister Stephen-Smith.
Media contact:
Michael Inman M 0415 955 078 E Michael.Inman@act.gov.au
