Released 17/05/2021
Members of Canberra’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community are being encouraged to nominate for the ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body with nominations for candidates opening today.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Rachel Stephen-Smith said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body is a unique example of a democratic voice to Government, elected by Canberra’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait community.
“The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body plays a vital role in the ACT, representing the interests and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans.
“The Elected Body has done a fantastic job in holding the ACT Government to account and representing the voices of Canberra’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
“I want to thank all the members of the Elected Body for their commitment and contribution this term. This has been an incredibly productive term of the Elected Body that has delivered real outcomes and change for the community.
“The Elected Body has continued to drive key priorities such as the restoration of Boomanulla Oval, new accommodation for Gugan Gulwan and the development of older people’s housing, while also advocating strongly for action to address whole-of-government challenges, including systemic racism.
“I acknowledge Katrina Fanning’s enormous contribution as the outgoing Chair. Katrina has shown great leadership on a local level and contributed to the national conversation on Closing the Gap as the ACT representative for the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations.
“Through her active involvement with the Coalition of Peaks, Katrina has clearly established the Elected Body as a strong voice for Canberra’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at a national level,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
This term, the Elected Body signed the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028 with the ACT Government, committing the Government to wide-ranging initiatives and actions that will improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ACT.
The Elected Body has also contributed to the ongoing development of the National Voice to the Australian Parliament and Government.
“I really look forward to learning more from candidates throughout the election period. This is an exciting time for the community and I strongly encourage community members to get involved in the election process, to vote and to have their say about the issues that matter to them,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
Key dates for the election include:
Monday 17 May - Nominations for candidates open
Tuesday 1 June at 12noon - Nominations for candidates close
Wednesday 2 June at 12noon - Candidates declared and order of ballot paper decided
9am on Saturday 3 July to 5pm on Saturday 10 July - Voting
5pm on Friday 16 July - Last day for receipt of polling votes
Before 5pm on Monday 28 July - Review panel meets to review postal votes and other decisions
Wednesday 21 July (no earlier than) - Scrutiny starts
A soon as practicable after the scrutiny ends - Elections results declared
More information the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body can be found at: https://atsieb.com.au/.
Further details of the 2021 election, including how to nominate, are available at Elections ACT: https://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections_and_voting/atsieb_elections/2021-atsieb-election.
Quote attributable to Outgoing Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, Katrina Fanning:
“I am proud of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Canberra and what we have achieved through the Elected Body since 2008.
In the last term since 2017, emphasising self-determination and concrete plans to advance it in the new ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement with the government was especially important. Being a member of the Coalition of Peaks has meant we are part of setting the national agenda on Closing the Gap as well.
However, there is more work to do, and I call on community members to consider nominating now in our election. I am standing down from the Elected Body, but I remain committed to its essential role. We need good, passionate, committed people to represent our community, bring new ideas and work towards a better future for our community.”
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases