Fix this text
19x4
Fix this textfor the
Fix this textCharis
Fix this textappersal
Fix this text(needed ley
Fix this textJerday mening
Fix this textLois ODonoghue commenting on the challenges facing the incoming
Fix this textRegional Councillors and Commissioners for the KOORI MAIL
Fix this texthave
Fix this textI been privileged to hold the position of the Chairperson of ATSIC since its
Fix this textestablishment in 1990. It has been an intense, at times exhilarating, at
Fix this texttimes exhausting, six years.
Fix this textATSIC has always had its fair share of critics – indeed the criticisms began
Fix this textthe moment the very idea of ATSIC -- a body to be run by indigenous
Fix this textelected representatives -- was announced.
Fix this textATSIC was given a very difficult political and administrative task -- and 1
Fix this textbelieve it has risen to the challenge.
Fix this textWe have not, in a few short years, been able to turn around the results of
Fix this texttwo centuries of dispossession and marginalisation, but it should never
Fix this texthave been expected that we would. ATSIC cannot be all things to all
Fix this textindigenous people, though as the indigenous agency in the public eye it is
Fix this textthe focus of indigenous peoples’ expectations and often bears the brunt of
Fix this texttheir disappointment.
Fix this textATSIC is only one player among many with the task of addressing
Fix this textindigenous disadvantage, for it shares this responsbility not only with
Fix this textmainstream Commonwealth agencies but also with State, Territory and
Fix this textlocal governments.
Fix this textThere is, however, a great deal in which ATSIC can take pride. As a
Fix this textrepresentative of indigenous interests, ATSIC was a major player in the
Fix this textCommonwealth’s response to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal
Fix this textDeaths in Custody and in the negotiation of the native title settlement. It
Fix this textcontinues to play a major role in coordinating an indigenous viewpoint
Fix this texton this Government’s proposed amendments to the Native Title Act.
Fix this textAfter extensive community consultation we put a report to the previous
Fix this textGovernment on the reforms that we believe are necessary to complement
Fix this textrecognition of native title, though there has been little progress on this
Fix this textfront. We have sought alliances with other government agencies to secure
Fix this textaccess and equity for indigenous people. We have made strenuous efforts
Fix this textto administer our own programs more effectively and on the basis of better
Fix this textresearch and information.
Fix this textThe incoming Regional Councillors and Commissioners face particular
Fix this textchallenges, since the relationship between ATSIC and the new
Fix this textGovernment has not been all it should be. Whatever the reasons for this
Fix this textsituation it is essential that we seek to put our differences behind us and to
Fix this textwork for the common good of all indigenous Australians.
Fix this textRegional Councillors must realise the necessity of making reasoned,
Fix this textinformed and balanced decisions, of working for their whole community.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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