The right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to vote in federal elections has been recognised since 1962. However, full franchise for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians did not occur until 1965, when Queensland recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders' right to vote in state elections - the last state to recognise this right (AEC 2010a).
It was not until the 1967 Referendum that the Australian Constitution was amended to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the federal government's legislative responsibility and in estimates of the Australian population. The 1967 referendum, along with the right to vote recognised a few years earlier, is regarded as a turning point in the relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with the Australian nation-state and a milestone that addressed many symbolic and real needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (Bennett 2004).
For information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in state and federal parliaments see the 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in parliament' section linked below.
In 1989, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) was created as a nationally representative organisation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. ATSIC advised governments on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, advocated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the local, regional, national and international levels and monitored how other government agencies provide services to their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. ATSIC was directed by a Board of Commissioners elected from members of Regional Councils in each of the ATSIC zones, who were in turn elected by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia (ATSIC 2001).
A major change to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance and representation came with the abolition of ATSIC in March 2005. ATSIC regional councils were dissolved at the end of June 2005. ATSIC's functions were transferred to a mainstream Commonwealth government agency, the Department of Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. A new body, the National Indigenous Council, was appointed by the Commonwealth government as a key advisory body on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs. This council was abolished in 2008. In May 2010 the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples was established. The new Congress was established to be a national representative body, a national leader and advocate for recognising the status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Nation peoples (NCAFP 2010).
In almost all areas of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership has been identified as a priority. There are a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership programs presently operating throughout Australia, all at varying stages of development, emphasis, and geographic reach and location (Queensland Govt 2010). Some of the organisations involved in leadership development include: the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre; the Lingiara Foundation; Elders’ leadership and cultural guidance programs; and the National Indigenous Youth Movement of Australia.
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ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES
The right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to vote in federal elections has been recognised since 1962. However, full franchise for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians did not occur until 1965, when Queensland recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders' right to vote in state elections - the last state to recognise this right (AEC 2010a).
It was not until the 1967 Referendum that the Australian Constitution was amended to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the federal government's legislative responsibility and in estimates of the Australian population. The 1967 referendum, along with the right to vote recognised a few years earlier, is regarded as a turning point in the relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with the Australian nation-state and a milestone that addressed many symbolic and real needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (Bennett 2004).
For information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in state and federal parliaments see the 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in parliament' section linked below.
In 1989, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) was created as a nationally representative organisation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. ATSIC advised governments on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, advocated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the local, regional, national and international levels and monitored how other government agencies provide services to their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. ATSIC was directed by a Board of Commissioners elected from members of Regional Councils in each of the ATSIC zones, who were in turn elected by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia (ATSIC 2001).
A major change to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance and representation came with the abolition of ATSIC in March 2005. ATSIC regional councils were dissolved at the end of June 2005. ATSIC's functions were transferred to a mainstream Commonwealth government agency, the Department of Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. A new body, the National Indigenous Council, was appointed by the Commonwealth government as a key advisory body on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs. This council was abolished in 2008. In May 2010 the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples was established. The new Congress was established to be a national representative body, a national leader and advocate for recognising the status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Nation peoples (NCAFP 2010).
In almost all areas of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership has been identified as a priority. There are a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership programs presently operating throughout Australia, all at varying stages of development, emphasis, and geographic reach and location (Queensland Govt 2010). Some of the organisations involved in leadership development include: the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre; the Lingiara Foundation; Elders’ leadership and cultural guidance programs; and the National Indigenous Youth Movement of Australia.